Effects Of Natural L-carnitine On Lipid Metabolism In Rats

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of natural L-carnitine on lipid metabolism in liver and testis of spontaneous hypertension rats(SHR).Firstly,18 male SHR aged 8 weeks were selected and divided into blank group,rapeseed oil group,and rapeseed oil + L-carnitine group.After 3 months of feeding,the rats were dissected for liver and testicular tissue.Then,the changes of liver lipid metabolism,liver function and the activity of testicular metabolic enzyme were measured by utilizing a microplate analyzer.Finally,the m RNA and protein expression levels of UCP2 and PPARα were detected by RT-PCR and western blot assays.The results are as follows:1.In comparison with the SHR in the rapeseed oil group,the expression levels of triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC)and low density lipoprotein(LDL-C)in the liver of the SHR in the rapeseed oil + L-carnitine group were prominently decreased,while the expression level of high density lipoprotein(HDL-C)was markedly boosted.Compared with the SHR in the blank group,the expression level of high density lipoprotein(HDL-C)of the SHR in the rapeseed oil + L-carnitine group was remarkably increased,but that of LDL-C was notably declined(P < 0.05).2.Alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and γ-glutamyl transferase(γ-GT)were markedly repressed in the liver of SHR in the rapeseed oil +L-carnitine group compared with those in the rapeseed oil group.Compared with the SHR in the blank group,the expression level of γ-GT in SHR in the rapeseed oil +L-carnitine group was prominently decreased(P < 0.05).3.The activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),succinate dehydrogenase(SDH),alkaline phosphatase(AKP)and acid phosphatase(ACP)in testis of SHR in the rapeseed oil + L-carnitine group were remarkably boosted in comparison with those in the blank group and rapesola oil group(P < 0.05).4.Compared with the blank group,UCP2 m RNA expression was significantly higher and PPARα m RNA expression was significantly lower in the liver of the L-carnitine group.Compared with the blank group and rapeseed oil group,the expression of UCP2 and PPARα protein in liver and testis was significantly up-regulated in the L-carnitine group(P < 0.05).In conclusion,natural L-carnitine improved lipid metabolism disorders in rapeseed oil-induced SHR rats,protected hepatic function and regulated the expression of lipid metabolism genes and proteins.