Cyclosporine-induced lipid peroxidation and propionyl carnitine protectiveeffect

Cell and tissue lipoperoxidation of the kidney induced by cyclosporine thro ugh the release of reactive oxygen species has recently been pointed out to be one of the factors responsible for the toxic phenomena related to the a dministration of cyclosporine. Our previous research on propionyl carnitine had shown an antilipoperoxidative effect of this substance on isolated cel ls such as erythrocytes and leukocytes, and also on the endothelial, vasal and cardiac tissues. In the experiments presented herein we also examined i f propionyl carnitine could carry out its already well-known antilipoperoxi dative effect in the renal tissue, and if this mechanism could be taken int o consideration in order to explain the protective effect of propionyl carn itine against cyclosporine induced toxicity. Trials were carried out on iso lated and perfused rat kidneys, and we were able to observe that propionyl carnitine exerted a protective action on toxic lipid peroxidation phenomena induced by cyclosporine. The results we obtained, together with other mech anisms which we had already proved regarding the intense protective activit y of propionyl carnitine on cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity complete th e complex picture that describes the protective activity of propionyl carni tine against cyclosporine toxicity.