title: Short term effects of L-carnitine on serum lipids in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into diabetic and diabetic-L-carnitine-supplemented groups. Diabetes was induced by injection of a single dose of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) in citrate buffer. L-Carnitine was supplemented by IM injection of 100 mg/kg per day for 10 days. Serum glucose, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were determined at days 0, 5 and 10. Rats receiving L-carnitine had lower triglyceride levels at both days 5 and 10 (P < 0.05). Total cholesterol levels in the carnitine-supplemented group were lower, but statistical significance was achieved only at day 10 (P < 0.05). These results suggest that L-carnitine exhibits hypotriglyceridemic and hypocholesterolemic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Clinical trials of L-carnitine supplementation on patients with diabetes induced hyperlipidemia must be further evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Department of Biochemistry and Biostatistics, Mersin University, Tip Fak. Hastanesi, Biyokimya AD., Zeytinlibahce Cad., 33079 Mersin, Turkey. geskandari@hotmail.com
authors.forename: H Gulcin
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Eskandari
authors.forename: M Y Burak
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Cimen
authors.forename: Lulufer
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tamer
authors.forename: Arzu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanik
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Atik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002331:Carnitine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D002331:Carnitine