Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of L-Carnitine on Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Published:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Recently, the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis has been investigated. This study was designed to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of L-carnitine on tissue injury and oxidative stress in acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Acetic acid administration induced severe damage macroscopically and histopathologically in colon and significantly increased the levels of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase in colonic tissue. Supplementation of L-carnitine to acetic acid-treated rats did not prove to induce any improvements in macroscopic scores, while L-carnitine administration improved histopathologic scores and significantly decreased malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels in treatment groups. Acetic acid administration significantly decreased reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels in colonic homogenate. Supplementation of L-carnitine prevented the depletion of reduced glutathione levels but significantly increased superoxide dismutase levels. On the other hand, no significant change in catalase activity was observed. In conclusion, these results may reflect that L-carnitine could be beneficial as a complementary agent in treatment of ulcerative colitis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Buffinton GD, Doe WF: Depleted mucosal antioxidant defenses in inflammatory bowel disease. Free Radic Bio Med 19:911–918, 1995

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Koch TR, Yuan LX, Stryker SJ, Ratliff P, Telford GL, Opara EC: Total antioxidant capacity of colon in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis. Dig Dis Sci 45:1814–1819, 2000

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Mulder TP, Verspaget HW, Janssens AR, de Bruin PAF, Pena AS, Lamers CB: Decrease in two intestinal copper/zinc containing proteins with antioxidant function in inflammatory bowel disease. Gut 32:1146–1150, 1991

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Flohe L, Beckmann R, Giertz H, Loschen G: Oxygen-centered free radicals as mediators of inflammation. In Oxidative Stress. Sies H (ed). London, Academic Press, 1985, pp 403–436

    Google Scholar 

  5. Fantone JC, Ward PA: Role of oxygen-derived free radicals and metabolites in leukocyte-dependent inflammatory reactions. Am J Pathol 107:395–418, 1982

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Lih-Brody L, Powell SR, Collier KP, Reddy GM, Cerchia R, Kahn E, Weissman GS, Katz S, Floyd RA, McKinley MJ, Fisher SE, Mullin GE: Increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defenses in mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease. Dig Dis Sci 41:2078 –2086, 1996

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Aruoma OI, Wasil M, Halliwell B, Hoey BM, Butler J: The scavenging of oxidants by sulphasalazine and its metabolites. Biochem Pharmacol 361:3739–3742, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  8. Ademoglu E, Erbil Y, Tam B, Barbaros U, Ilhan E, Olgac V, Mutlu-Turkoglu U: Do vitamin E and selenium have beneficial effects on trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced experimental colitis. Dig Dis Sci 49:102–108, 2004

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Choudhary S, Keshavarzian A, Yong S, Wade M, Bocckino S, Day BJ, Banan A: Novel antioxidants zolimid and AEOL11201 ameliorate colitis in rats. Dig Dis Sci 46:2222–2230, 2001

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Nosal’ova V, Cerna S, Bauer V: Effect of N-acetylcysteine on colitis induced by acetic acid in rats. Gen Pharmacol 35:77–81, 2000

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Fabriello RG, Calabrese F: Prevention of ischemia induced increase in MDA by acetyl carnitine. Ann Neurol 24:114–118, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  12. Lowitt S, Malone JI, Salem AF, Korhals J, Benford S: Acetyl-l-carnitine corrects the altered peripheral nerve function of experimental diabetes. Metabolism 445:677–680, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  13. Mayes PA: Lipids of physiologic significance. In Harper’s Biochemistry. Murray, RK, Granner DK, Mayes PA, Rodwell VW (eds.). Stanford, CA, McGraw–Hill, 2000, pp 160–171

    Google Scholar 

  14. Morris GP, Beck PL, Herridge MS, Depew WT, Szewczuk MR, Wallace JL: Hapten-induced model of chronic inflammation and ulceration in the rat colon. Gastroenterology 96:795–803, 1989

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Appleyard CB, Wallace JL: Reactivation of hapten-induced colitis and its prevention by anti-inflammatory drugs. Am J Physiol 269:119–125, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  16. Krawisz JE, Sharon P, Stenson WF: Quantitative assay for acute intestinal inflammation based on myeloperoxidase activity. Assessment of inflammation in rat and hamster models. Gastroenterology 87:1344–1350, 1984

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Ohkawa H, Ohishi N, Tagi K: Assay for lipid peroxides in animal tissues by thiobarbituric acid reaction. Anal Biochem 95:351–358, 1979

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Beutler E: Red Cell Metabolism. New York, Grune and Stratton, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  19. Fridovich I: Superoxide radical: an endogenous toxicant. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 23:239–257, 1983

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Lowry OH, Rosebrough NJ, Farr AL, Randall RJ: Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. Biol Chem 193:265–275, 1951

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Fedorak RN, Empey LR, MacArthur C, Jewell LD: Misoprostol provides a colonic mucosal protective effect during acetic acid induced colitis in rats. Gastroenterology 98:615–625, 1990

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Podolsky DK: Inflammatory bowel disease. N Engl J Med 325:928–937, 1991

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Loguercio C, D’Argenio G, Delle Cave M, Cosenza V, Della Valle N, Mazzacca G, del Vecchio Blanco C: Direct evidence of oxidative damage in acute and chronic phases of experimental colitis in rats. Dig Dis Sci: 41:1204–1211, 1996

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Grisham MB: Oxidants and free radicals in inflammatory bowel disease. Lancet 344:859–861, 1994

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Pentney PT, Bubenik GA: Melatonin reduces the severity of dextran-induced colitis in mice. J Pineal Res 19:31–39, 1995

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Simmonds NJ, Millar AD, Blake DR, Rampton DS: Antioxidant effects of aminosalicylates and potential new drugs for inflammatory bowel disease: assessment in cell-free systems and inflamed human colorectal biopsies. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 13:363–372, 1999

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Nosal’ova V, Bauer V: Protective effect of stobadine in experimental colitis. Life Sci 65:1919–1921, 1999

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Sener G, Paskaloglu K, Satiroglu H, Alican I, Kacmaz A, Sakarcan A: l-Carnitine ameliorates oxidative damage due to chronic renal failure in rats. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 43:698–705, 2004

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Gorur S, Bagdatoglu OT, Polat G: Protective effect of l-carnitine on renal ischaemia–reperfusion injury in the rat: Cell Biochem Funct 23:151–155, 2004

    Google Scholar 

  30. Juliet Arockia Rani P, Panneerselvam C: Carnitine as a free radical scavenger in aging. Exp Gerontol 36:1713–1726, 2001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Vicari E, Vignera SL, Calogero AE: Antioxidant treatment with carnitines is effective in infertile patients with prostatovesiculoepididymitis and elevated seminal leukocyte concentrations after treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory compounds. Fertil Steril 78:1203–1208, 2002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Gasbarrini G, Mingrone G, Giancaterini A, De Gaetano A, Scarfone A, Capristo E, Calvani M, Caso V, Greco AV: Effects of propionyl-l-carnitine topical irrigation in distal ulcerative colitis: a preliminary report. Hepatogastroenterology 50:1385–1389, 2003

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Giancaterini A, Mingrone G, De Gaetano A, Capristo E, Calvani M, Caso V, Greco AV, Gasbarrini G: Effects of propionyl-l-carnitine topical irrigation in distal ulcerative colitis: a preliminary report. Am J Gastroenterol 96:2275–2276, 2001

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. McKenzie SJ, Baker MS, Buffinton GD, Doe WF: Evidence of oxidant-induced injury to epithelial cells during inflammatory bowel disease. J Clin Invest 98:136–141, 1996

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Mister M, Noris M, Szymczuk J, Azzollini N, Aiello S, Abbate M, Trochimowicz L, Gagliardini E, Arduini A, Perico N, Remuzzi G: Propionyl-l-carnitine prevents renal function deterioration due to ischemia/reperfusion. Kidney Int 61:1064–1078, 2002

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Demirdag K, Bahcecioglu IH, Ozercan IH, Ozden M, Yilmaz S, Kalkan A: Role of l-carnitine in the prevention of acute liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 19:333–338, 2004

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Kumaran S, Deepak B, Naveen B, Panneerselvam C: Effects of levocarnitine on mitochondrial antioxidant systems and oxidative stress in aged rats. Drugs R & D 4:141–147, 2003

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Loeper J, Goy J, Rozensztajn L, Bedu O, Moisson P: Lipid peroxidation and protective enzymes during myocardial infarction. Clin Chim Acta 196:119–125, 1991

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Kuralay F, Yildiz C, Ozutemiz O, Islekel H, Caliskan S, Bingol B, Ozkal S. Effects of trimetazidine on acetic acid-induced colitis in female Swiss rats. J Toxicol Environ Health A 66:169–179, 2003

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Beno I, Staruchova M, Volkovova K, Mekinova D, Bobek P, Jurcovicova M: Activity of the antioxidant system in patients with idiopathic proctocolitis and the effect of 5-aminosalicylic acid (Salofalk). Bratisl Lek Listy 95:99–102, 1994

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Beno I, Staruchova M, Batovsky M, Volkovova K: Adenomatous and inflammatory colorectal polyps: antioxidative enzyme activity in the colon. Cas Lek Cesk 135:208–210, 1996

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Dong WG, Liu SP, Yu BP, Wu DF, Luo HS, Yu JP: Ameliorative effects of sodium ferulate on experimental colitis and their mechanisms in rats. World J Gastroenterol 9:2533–2538, 2003

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Liu SP, Dong WG, Wu DF, Luo HS, Yu JP: Protective effect of angelica sinensis polysaccharide on experimental immunological colon injury in rats. World J Gastroenterol 9: 2786–2790, 2003

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Szabo S: Role of sulfhydryls and early vascular lesions in gastric mucosal injury. Acta Physiol Hung 64:203–214, 1984

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Satoh H, Sato F, Takami K, Szabo S: New ulcerative colitis model induced by sulfhydryl blockers in rats and the effects of antiinflammatory drugs on the colitis. Jpn J Pharmacol 73:299–309, 1997

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Nieto N, Torres MI, Fernandez MI, Giron MD, Rios A, Suarez MD, Gil A: Experimental ulcerative colitis impairs antioxidant defense system in rat intestine. Dig Dis Sci 45:1820–1827, 2000

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Girgin F, Karaoglu O, Erkus M, Tuzun S, Ozutemiz O, Dincer C, Batur Y, Tanyalcin T: Effects of trimetazidine on oxidant/antioxidant status in trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced chronic colitis. J Toxicol Environ Health A 59:641-652, 2000

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali Cetinkaya MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cetinkaya, A., Bulbuloglu, E., Kantarceken, B. et al. Effects of L-Carnitine on Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis. Dig Dis Sci 51, 488–494 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-3160-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-3160-9

Key Words

Navigation