open access

Vol 78, No 2 (2019)
Original article
Submitted: 2018-04-16
Accepted: 2018-05-23
Published online: 2018-08-09
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Combination of vitamin E and L-carnitine is superior in protection against isoproterenol-induced cardiac injury: histopathological evidence

E.A. Huwait1
·
Pubmed: 30106462
·
Folia Morphol 2019;78(2):274-282.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

open access

Vol 78, No 2 (2019)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2018-04-16
Accepted: 2018-05-23
Published online: 2018-08-09

Abstract

Background: L-carnitine and vitamin E have antioxidant properties. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of L-carnitine, vitamin E and their combination in protection against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced biochemical and histopathological changes in rat heart. 

Materials and methods: Fifty male Wistar rats assigned to five groups; control, ISO-treated group (100 mg/kg), ISO + vitamin E-treated group (100 IU/kg), ISO + L-carnitine (100 mg/kg) and ISO + vitamin E + L-carnitine treated group. At the end of the experiment, serum cardiac enzyme as well as the cardiac level malondi- aldehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) were assessed. Histopathological changes in the left ventricle wall were assessed using the light and electron microscopy. 

Results: Treating rats with vitamin E and L-carnitine could alleviate ISO-induced changes as it significantly reduced the serum level cardiac enzymes, MDA and IL-6, TNF-a and improved the antioxidants enzymes (SOD, GSPxase and GSRase). Histopathologically, they improved cardiac fibres atrophy, haemorrhages between cardiac fibres, lost striations, and disturbed sarcomere structure. The combined ef- fect of vitamin E and L-carnitine was more superior compared to the other groups. 

Conclusions: Combined administration of vitamin E, L-carnitine ameliorated the biochemical and histopathological cardiac injury induced by ISO. The effect seemed to be mediated through the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin E, L-carnitine. Administration of these two elements is recommended for patient at risk for myocardial infarction. 

Abstract

Background: L-carnitine and vitamin E have antioxidant properties. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of L-carnitine, vitamin E and their combination in protection against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced biochemical and histopathological changes in rat heart. 

Materials and methods: Fifty male Wistar rats assigned to five groups; control, ISO-treated group (100 mg/kg), ISO + vitamin E-treated group (100 IU/kg), ISO + L-carnitine (100 mg/kg) and ISO + vitamin E + L-carnitine treated group. At the end of the experiment, serum cardiac enzyme as well as the cardiac level malondi- aldehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) were assessed. Histopathological changes in the left ventricle wall were assessed using the light and electron microscopy. 

Results: Treating rats with vitamin E and L-carnitine could alleviate ISO-induced changes as it significantly reduced the serum level cardiac enzymes, MDA and IL-6, TNF-a and improved the antioxidants enzymes (SOD, GSPxase and GSRase). Histopathologically, they improved cardiac fibres atrophy, haemorrhages between cardiac fibres, lost striations, and disturbed sarcomere structure. The combined ef- fect of vitamin E and L-carnitine was more superior compared to the other groups. 

Conclusions: Combined administration of vitamin E, L-carnitine ameliorated the biochemical and histopathological cardiac injury induced by ISO. The effect seemed to be mediated through the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin E, L-carnitine. Administration of these two elements is recommended for patient at risk for myocardial infarction. 

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Keywords

vitamin E; L-carnitine; isoproterenol; heart; histology; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory

About this article
Title

Combination of vitamin E and L-carnitine is superior in protection against isoproterenol-induced cardiac injury: histopathological evidence

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 78, No 2 (2019)

Article type

Original article

Pages

274-282

Published online

2018-08-09

Page views

2742

Article views/downloads

2054

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2018.0070

Pubmed

30106462

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2019;78(2):274-282.

Keywords

vitamin E
L-carnitine
isoproterenol
heart
histology
antioxidant
anti-inflammatory

Authors

E.A. Huwait

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