Protective effects of α-lipoic acid and L-carnitine in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury

Objective: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver ischemia/reperfusion injury. Thus, antioxidant treatment can be protective against to liver ischemia/reperfusion injury. The aim of this study to investigate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid and L-carnitine on liver total oxidant status, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, neutrophil infiltration and hepatic necrosis in liver ischemia/reperfusion model. Methods: Wistar albino male rats were divided into four groups randomly: Sham (n=7), ischemia/reperfusion (n=7), alpha-lipoic acid (n=8) and L-carnitine (n=8). alpha-Lipoic acid (100 mg/kg) and L-carnitine (100 mg/kg) were given intraperitoneally to alpha-lipoic acid group 15 minutes before and to L-carnitine group 30 minutes before ischemia/reperfusion protocol, respectively. To induce hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury, ischemia (60 minutes) and reperfusion (30 minutes) were applied to all groups except sham group. Total oxidant status, malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products and myeloperoxidase levels were measured in ischemic lobes of liver tissues. Hepatic necrosis was scored microscopically. Results: There was no significant change in myeloperoxidase levels as an indicator of neutrophil infiltration after reperfusion procedure. Both L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid caused a significant decrease in hepatic necrosis. While L-carnitine prevents an increase in total oxidant status, lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, alpha-lipoic acid prevents only an increase in lipid peroxidation of the liver in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. Conclusion: As a result; we can report that L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid have protective effects against to hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.