Elsevier

Transplantation Proceedings

Volume 45, Issue 8, October 2013, Pages 3127-3134
Transplantation Proceedings

The 9th Korea-Japan transplantation forum
Experimental transplantation
L-Carnitine Protects Against Cyclosporine-Induced Pancreatic and Renal Injury in Rats

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2013.08.041Get rights and content
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open access

Abstract

Background

L-carnitine has protective effects against various types of injury. This study was designed to evaluate the beneficial effects of L-carnitine on pancreatic and renal injuries caused by cyclosporine (CsA).

Methods

Rats maintained on a low sodium diet were given vehicle (olive oil, 1 mL/kg/d), CsA (15 mg/kg/d), L-carnitine (50 or 200 mg/kg/d), or a combination of CsA and L-carnitine for 4 weeks. The impact of L-carnitine on pancreatic injury was assessed by blood glucose levels, plasma insulin concentrations, and hemoglobulin A1c (HbA1c). In addition, the protective effects of L-carnitine against CsA-induced kidney injury were evaluated in terms of renal function, histopathology (inflammatory cell influx and tubulointerstitial fibrosis), oxidative stress (8-hydroxy 2′-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG), transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-β1), apoptosis (caspase-3), and autophagy (LC3-II).

Results

CsA treatment caused diabetes, renal dysfunction, tubulointerstitial inflammation (ED-1-positive cells), and fibrosis, which were accompanied by an increase in 8-OHdG production and upregulation of TGF-β1, caspase-3, and LC3-II. Concomitant administration of L-carnitine increased plasma insulin concentrations, decreasing plasma glucose and HbA1c levels. In the kidney, L-carnitine induced dose-dependent improvement of renal function, inflammation, and fibrosis in parallel with suppression of the expression of TGF-β1 and 8-OHdG. Furthermore, the administration of L-carnitine at a high dose inhibited the expression of caspase-3 and LC3-II.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that L-carnitine has a protective effect against CsA-induced pancreatic and renal injuries.

Cited by (0)

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81160092) and a grant of the Korea Healthcare technology R&D Project, Ministry for Health, Welfare & Family Affairs of Korea (A092258).