Investigation of the effect of carnitine on cerebral vasospasm in experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage model

Abstract

The vasospasm, which develops after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), is an unenlightened table in terms of etiology and results. It is usually associated with decreased perfusion, which is associated with decreased blood flow distal to the affected artery and can be demonstrated radiologically. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) can be found in brain tissue and easily crosses the blood–brain barrier. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of ALCAR, which is an effective antioxidant amine, on vasospasm development after experimental SAH. In our study, 35 adults male Wistar RATs weighing between 235–250 g were used. These RATs were divided into five groups with n = 7. Group 1 Control group, Group 2 SAH + SF (carrier solution), Group 3 SAH + ALCAR 50 mg\kg intraperitoneally, Group 4 SAH + ALCAR 100 mg\kg intraperitoneally and Group 5 SAH. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was induced by giving autologous arterial blood to the cisterna magna of the animals in groups 2, 3, 4, and 5. At 0.-12.- 24.- 36.- 48.- 60. and 72. h, Group 2 was injected with SF, Group 3 with intraperitoneally ALCAR 50 mg\kg, and Group 4 with intraperitoneally ALCAR 100 mg\kg, respectively. Following perfusion and fixation, the animals were subjected to a wide craniectomy, and the brain, cerebellum, and brain stems were removed globally. Then, sections were taken from the basilar arteries of all animals and photographed at 40X magnification. Basilar artery lumen cross-sectional areas, basilar artery areas, and wall thicknesses were measured from these sections. The basilar artery lumen cross-sectional area was found to be significantly larger in the groups in which SAH was formed and ALCAR 50 mg\kg and ALCAR 100 mg\kg were given compared to the group with only SAH and SAH + SF (p = 0.0408). Basilar artery wall thickness increased in all groups except the control group (p < 0.05). In light of all these findings, it was concluded in our study that Carnitine was effective in the resolution of vasospasm in the experimental SAH model.