Comparison the Protective Effects of L-Carnitine and Acetyl L-Carnitine on Blood Glucose and Lipid Peroxidation Level in Diabetic Rats

Aims: New medications with less side-effect are increasingly noticed now a day. L-Carnitine and Acetyl L-Carnitine reduce the secondary side-effects of Type I diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oral administration of the materials on the blood glucose and the lipid per-oxidation of the liver and brain tissues in the diabetic rats. Materials & Methods: In the experimental study, 50 male Wistar rats were studied. The rats were randomly divided into five groups including control (the healthy rats), negative control (the diabetic rats), and three treatment diabetic groups. The diabetic groups received 110mg/Kg alloxan via injection to become diabetic. The treatment groups received L-Carnitine, Acetyl L-Carnetine, and LCarnetine with Acetyl L-Carnetine (300mg/Kg) as gavage for 30 days. The lipid per-oxidation, the serum glucose, the lipid profile, and the liver enzymes were measured at the end of the experiment. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey complementary test. Findings: The fasting blood concentration, triglyceride, cholesterol, creatinine, the serum liver enzymes, and the level of the liver tissue malondialdehyde significantly decreased in treatment diabetic group than diabetic group without any treatment, while HDL level increased as well (p<0.05). The brain tissue malondialdehyde and the serum HDL decreased and increased due to the administration of Acetyl L-Carnitine, respectively. Nevertheless, it affected no other parameter significantly. The positive effects of L-Carnitine were reduced by the administration of Acetyl L-Carnitin with L-Carnitine. Conclusion: The administration of L-Carnitine further reduces the secondary side-effects of diabetes than Acetyl L-Carnitine. In addition, simultaneous administration of the materials is not recommended.