Comparison of the Effects of Sodium Nitroprusside and L-Carnitine in Experimental Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings Vol. 39; no. 10; pp. 2997 - 3001
• Main Authors: Akin, M, Kurukahvecioglu, O, Gulbahar, O, Isikgonul, I, Taneri, F, Tezel, E, Onuk, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.12.2007
• Subjects: Animals; Carnitine - pharmacology; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Mesenteric Arteries - drug effects; Mesenteric Arteries - pathology; Nitroprusside - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reperfusion Injury - pathology; Reperfusion Injury - prevention & control; Surgery
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2007.03.112

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as a nitric oxide (NO) donor and L-carnitine intraperitoneal administration to treat experimental ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Materials and methods Rats were divided into four groups, each one consisting of 10 animals. Group 1 was subjected to a sham operation. In group 2, an I/R process was applied to the rats. In group 3, SNP (5 mg/kg) and in group 4, L-carnitine (500 mg/kg) was administered in addition to the I/R process. Ileal tissue samples were obtained for analysis of tissue malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) and for histopathologic examination. Results By histopathologic examination, the I/R group showed a significant difference from the SNP and L-carnitine groups ( P < .05). There was no difference between the sham, the SNP, and the L-carnitine groups ( P > .05). SNP used as an NO donor produced a significant decrease in MDA levels. There was a significant difference between the MDA levels of the SNP and the I/R groups ( P < .05). Also, the difference between this group and the I/R group was significant ( P < .05). Conclusion SNP helped to both prevent and reduce mucosal damage in terms of histological and tissue MDA levels. Since the results of the L-carnitine group and the SNP group were similar, L-carnitine was as effective as exogenous NO.