A Study on the Effect of L-Carnitine on Myoglobinuric Acute Kidney Injury in Male Rats

Background: Rhabdomyolysis is frequently observed in patients admitted to the ICU. Rhabdomyolysis-induced myoglobinuric acute renal failure is one of the most common causes of death in this condition. Free radicals and nitric oxide are involved in the pathogenesis of myoglobinuric ARF. Aim of the Study: To study the effect of L-carnitine as an antioxidant on mARF in rats. Methods: Twenty four rats were divided into 3 groups; Group 1: Control rats. The remaining rats were injected with 50% glycerol (10ml/kg, i.m.) and were divided into: Group 2: Myoglobinuric ARF, group 3: Received L-carnitine (200mg/ kg, i.p.) concomitant with and 24 hours after glycerol injection. Forty eight hours later blood samples were collected to evaluate BUN, creatinine, NO and glutathione levels. Kidney specimens were taken for histological examination. Results: The group treated by L-carnitine showed significantly decreased levels of serum creatinine and BUN as compared to ARF group. NO was significantly decreased, while renal glutathione was significantly increased in the group treated with L-carnitine as compared to ARF group. The histological changes confirmed the biochemical findings. Conclusion: L-carnitine has a partial protective effect against myoglobinuric renal failure. This protective effect may be due to the antioxidant functions of L-carnitine.