Evaluation of protective effect of L-carnitine and N-acetylcysteine in mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion injury model in rats

Abstract

Aim: ischemia-reperfusion injury is an important dilemma in surgical modalities. The mechanism of IR damage is related to oxidative stress mediators. L-carnitine and N-acetylcysteine are thought to have antioxidant activity. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of short-term administration of these two drugs and to compare their effects on oxidative stress parameters in the experimental mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion model in rats. Materials and methods: twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into 3 experimental groups. In Group 1 (CG) (n=8), rats underwent occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 30 minutes and were not given any medications. In Group 2 (NG) and Group 3 (LG), rats underwent occlusion as CG. Rats were given 150 mg/kg (IP) N-acetylcysteine and 300 mg/kg IP L-carnitine according to their groups 15 minutes before reperfusion. Rats were sacrificed with high dose anesthetic drugs after 60 minutes of reperfusion. Blood and liver tissue samples were obtained to investigate total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI). Results: by biochemical examination, all groups showed similar levels of TOS. There was no statistically significant difference between the level of TAS and OSI in all groups (p>0,05). There was no any statistically significant difference between the groups for TAS measurements (p=0.061; p>0.05); however, higher measurement values in the L-Carnitine group is considerable.Discussion: although the use of drugs with proven antioxidant efficiency after ischemia may cause a histologically significant difference in IR injury, there was no significant efficiency in the reduction of superoxides in the circulation. Therefore, we believe that the use of NAC and L-carnitine as antioxidants after the development of ischemia does not help to prevent intestinal IR injury.