L-propionyl carnitine reduces toxicity correlated to cyclosporine-induced intracellular ATP concentrations

In previous trials we proved how propionyl carnitine, an acyl carnitine cha racterized by its intense mitochondrial metabolic, and cardio and vasoprote ctive activity could prevent the cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity. Subse quently we also noted how propionyl carnitine could prevent the increase in renal intracellular calcium, which is the base of many cyclosporine-induce d toxic phenomena. In our trials, we used the isolated and perfused rat kid ney technique to examine if with the variations of the concentration of int racellular calcium, the adenosine 5'-triphosphate concentrations also varie d, and if this decrease could be corrected by administrating propionyl carn itine. The results we obtained in these experiments indicated that when pro pionyl carnitine was administered preventively the concentrations of renal intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate which were decreased by the cyclosp orine returned to their normal values and, at the same time, a decrease in the increased vascular resistance of the kidney was noted. Therefore, propi onyl carnitine corrected one of the biochemical alterations which explained the pathogenesis of the renal damage induced by cyclosporine.