EFFECTS OF LEVO-ACETYLCARNITINE ON 2ND MOTONEURON SURVIVAL AFTER AXOTOMY

Little is known about factors that regulate the survival of cranial mo toneurons which project to peripheral targets. Various neurotrophic fa ctors of central and peripheral origin have been isolated. In this stu dy, we examined thirteen newborn Wistar rats to determine the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine treatment on the survival of motoneurons within the facial nucleus after transection of the facial nerve. Acetyl-L-car nitine was administered for 7 days in seven rats after nerve transecti on, while saline solution was injected in 6 rats used as controls. Bot h the motoneuron number and the motoneuron diameter were significantly higher in the facial nucleus of the rats treated with acetyl-L-cartin ite than in the facial nucleus of the control rats. The results obtain ed suggest that acetyl-L-carnitine can rescue a substantial number of facial motoneurons from axotomy-induced cell death. Compared to neurot rophic factors, because of its simple molecular structure, acetyl-L-ca rnitine permits a safe oral and parenteral administration. It is sugge sted that acetyl-L-carnitine could be considered for use as a therapeu tic agent in neurodegenerative disorders.