Influence Of L-Carnitine On Hippocampal Neurones In Epileptic Rats

ObjectiveTo study the effect of L-carnitine on the concentration of malondi-aldehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismuta-se(SOD) in the hippocampus of epileptic rats. Investigate the functions of L-carnitine about scavenging free radical and pr-otecting neurons.Methods1. Experimental animals and grouping:the adult male SD rat (n = 30) were divided into three groups:PTZ induced epilepsy group (n= 10); L-carnitine pre-disposal treatment group(n=10);control group(n=10).2.Make seizure kindling model:Basic on the Dihel's seizure kindling process, PTZ 50mg/kg i.p. to PTZ group and L-carnitine group for seizure kindling model. The animals were observed for a period of 30 min for latency to first seizure onset, total seizure duration.3. make pre-disposal treatment:L-carnitine group rats were treated with L-carnitine 300mg/kg i. g for 10 days.4.Draw the material and experiment extract hippocampal neurons rapidly after all model animal'kindling and assay the activities of SOD and MDA by colorimetric method. Observe the hippocampal neurons'damage by hematoxylin and eosintechnique.Results1. All the animals in PTZ group and L-carnitine group were induced to seizure kindling, and seizure did not appear in control group. The latent period are of L-carnitine group and PTZ group had no significant differences.The seizure period of L-carnitine group was significantly shorter than PTZ group(p<0.05).2.To compare with L-carnitine group, the activities of SOD was lower than the control group(p<0.01),but higher than PTZ group(p<0.05),and MDA level was much higher in PTZ group(p<0.01),also has significant difference with that in normal group(p<0.01).3. The results of HE stain:neurons of hippocampus in the control group were normal microscopically with HE stain. In the PTZ group, neuronal cell was more injuryed compare with L-carnitine group.ConclusionL-carnitine could enhance activities of SOD and reduce the MDA level. L-carnitine could reduce seizure period, inhibit neuroal damage as free radical scavenger.