The histopathologic effects of L-carnitine in Sodium Taurocholate Induced Severe Pancreatitis Model.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the histopathologic effects of L-carnitine (LC) in an experimental severe pancreatitis (SP) model induced with sodium taurocholate (STC).


BACKGROUND
LC is an amino acid-like molecule that plays an active role in transporting fatty acids and producing Acetyl CoA in mitochondrial matrix for β-oxidation to provide energy which is needed for metabolism. It has ameliorative effects on cell injury demonstrated in many studies. The present study focuses on evaluating histopathologic effects of LC in an experimental SP model.


METHODS
This experimental study in rats was conducted at the Experimental Animal Research Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine of Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. Thirty-two Spraque-dawley male rats were divided into 4 groups in a randomized fashion: control (C) group, L-carnitine (LC) group, pancreatitis (P) group, pancreatitis and L-carnitine (P+LC) group. Pancreatitis was induced by a retrograde pancreatic duct injection of 4% sodium taurocholate and L-carnitine was administered 200 mg/kg/day in treatment group. Rats were euthanized with cardiac puncture under anesthesia at 48th hour of the experiment for biochemical and histopathological examination.


RESULTS
In (P+LC) group, the histopathological findings of the pancreatitis were markedly reduced. Acinar cell degeneration was rarely seen. Interlobular and intralobular inflammation and edema was generally mild. The pancreatic damage score of (P+LC) group was significantly lower than that of the (P) group (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed that l-carnitine has a significant histopathologic protective effect on acinar cell degeneration in STC-induced SP model in rats.
1 Dept. of Gastroenterologic Surgery, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey.
Murat
M
Karakahya
2 Department of Histology and Embryology, Inönü University, Malatya, Turkey.
Mehmet
M
Gül
3 Dept. of Gastroenterologic Surgery, Medical Park Hospital, Ordu, Turkey.
Sevil
S
Işık
4 Dept. of General Surgery, Inönü University, Malatya, Turkey.
Cemalettin
C
Aydın
5 Dept. of Histology and Embryology, Inönü University, Malatya, Turkey.
Birgül
B
Yiğitcan
6 Dept. of General Surgery, Inönü University, Malatya, Turkey.
Emrah
E
Otan
7 Dept. of General Surgery, Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Taner
T
Orug
L-carnitine; severe pancreatitis; sodium taurocholate