Carnitine as a preventive agent in experimental renal ischemia-reperfusioninjury

Reactive oxygen species generated during the reperfusion of ischemic kidney , as well as any other tissue, cause lipid peroxidation damaging the cell m embrane. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of carnitine i n reperfusion injury of the kidney. Male albino rabbits were subjected to u nilateral renal l-h warm ischemia followed by 15 min of reperfusion. Group I (n = 9). control group received 3 cc of isotonic saline solution and grou p II (n = 9): carnitine group received 100 mg/kg of carnitine. Blood sample s were collected at the 15th min of reperfusion from the left renal vein se lectively. Preischemic and post-reperfusion serum and renal tissue MDA leve ls were measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) spectro photometric analysis. The preischemic serum and tissue MDA values (sham val ues) for groups I and II were statistically comparable (P > 0.01). Serum an d tissue MDA levels were markedly elevated after 15 min of reperfusion in g roup I (P < 0.01), while the values remained in the baseline levels followi ng reperfusion in group II (P > 0.01). In group I, the major histological d ifferences observed in the reperfused kidneys were marked edema and congest ion whereas glomerular and tubular cellular integrity were well preserved i n group II. Pre-treatment with carnitine in solid organ transplantations, p reschock states, surgical procedures that require temporary vascular clampi ng etc. may be helpful to minimize the reperfusion injury in the involved t issue, reducing morbidity and mortality.