title: Biochemical and biomechanical assessment of effects of L-carnitine on oral mucosal wounds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to investigate the oral mucosal wound healing potential of L-carnitine in a rat model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four Wistar-albino rats were divided into 4 groups: control group (group I), L-carnitine groups (100 and 200 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) (groups II and III), and vitamin E group (100 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) (group IV). A 1.5-cm linear incision was created on the buccal mucosa of each rat and was left to heal by secondary intention. On the tenth day, rats were anesthetized and sacrificed. The tensile strength of wound was measured with a tensiometer. Hydroxyproline (HYP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in wound were assayed by spectrophotometry. Results were statistically analyzed using a one-way ANOVA analysis (p ≤ 0.001).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the analysis of tissue samples, there was a statistically significant decrease in MDA levels in group II (p < 0.01) and group IV (p < 0.001). Wound tension strength that was seen in groups II (57.88 %) and IV (48.71 %) was better than group III (33.39 %). Hydroxyproline levels in group II (46.98 ± 1.37) was higher than groups III (29.40 ± 1.64) and IV (38.83 ± 1.41).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there was a tendency toward faster healing in the groups receiving L-carnitine, it may have a dose-related positive effect for wound healing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the advantages of having positive effects on wound healing, being a natural substance in the body, being easy to procure, and having a practical usage, L-carnitine may be clinically feasible for human oral mucosal wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, 06510, Ankara, Turkey, a.harika@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A Harika
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Kutluay Köklü
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Küpeli Akkol
authors.forename: Dilek A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Uğar Çankal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002331:Carnitine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000293:injuries*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D014810:Vitamin E; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D006909:Hydroxyproline; D002331:Carnitine