Effects of acetyl-L-carnitine on the formation of patty acid ethyl esters in brain and peripheral organs after short-term ethanol administration in rat

Increasing evidence suggests that Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) play a cen tral role in ethanol induced organ damage. In the current study we measured FAEE formation in rats after short-term oral administration of ethanol, in the presence and absence of pre-treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine. Ethanol treatment caused a significant increase in the levels of FAEE, particularl y in the brain and heart, but also in the kidney and liver. Increases in FA EE were associated with a significant increase in FAEE synthase activity, G SH transferase activity, and lipid hydroperoxide levels. Pretreatment with acetyl-L-carnitine resulted in a significant reduction of FAEE accumulation , decrease in FAEE synthase and GSH transferase activities, and lipid hydro peroxide levels. Administration of acetyl-L-carnitine greatly reduced the m etabolic abnormalities due to non-oxidative ethanol metabolism, through an increment in lipid metabolism/turnover and by the modulation of the activit ies of enzymes associated with FAEE synthesis. These results suggest a pote ntially important pharmacological role for acetyl-L-carnitine: in the preve ntion of alcohol-induced cellular damage.