PROTECTION OF ISOLATED-PERFUSED WORKING RAT-HEART FROM OXIDATIVE STRESS BY EXOGENOUS L-PROPIONYL CARNITINE

The effect of exogenous L-propionyl carnitine on peroxidative injury w as investigated on isolated working rat hearts. The addition of 190 mu M hydrogen peroxide to the perfusion buffer caused a marked decrease i n aortic flow, minute work and peak aortic pressure, and a release of intracellular enzymes. In the presence of L-propionyl carnitine the ha emodynamic damage was significantly lower and enzyme leakage remarkabl y decreased. The protection was concentration-dependent and the whole structure of the molecule was required, since carnitine alone was foun d less effective and propionate had no effect. In the absence of hydro gen peroxide L-propionyl carnitine increased heart performance. The ef fect of L-propionyl carnitine on oxidative stress could account for th e beneficial effect of this substance in different models of ischaemic injury. L-propionyl carnitine increases the cardiac performance and p rotects the rat heart from peroxidation through metabolic and antipero xidative mechanisms.