Influence of theophylline on urinary excretion of total, free and acyl carnitine in rats.
BACKGROUND
Carnitine plays a critical role in lipid metabolism. Carnitine deficiency may adversely affect the oxidation of fatty acids and further aggravate abnormal lipid metabolism.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of oral theophylline administration on urinary excretion of total (TC), free (FC), acyl (AC) carnitine as well as the ratio of AC to FC in rats.


METHODS
The study was a randomized, controlled animal study. Theophylline was given at 100 mg/kg b.w./day and effects were monitored after a treatment period that lasted between one week and five weeks.


RESULTS
Theophylline treatment caused significantly increased food intake and urinary excretion as compared to either control or placebo, P < 0.01. The results indicated that a significant increase in urinary TC, FC and AC excretion as compared to those of control and placebo groups (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the ratio of AC to FC was significantly increased (P < 0.01) as compared to either control or placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
Theophylline administration to rats leads to significant changes in the urinary excretion of carnitine. These changes may result from theophylline-affected alteration renal tubular re-absorption of carnitine.
al-Kholaifi
A M
AM
Department of Pathology, Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
Alhomida
A S
AS
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine*; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; C116917:acylcarnitine; D013806:Theophylline; D002331:Carnitine