l-Carnitine, but not coenzyme Q10, enhances the anti-osteoporotic effect of atorvastatin in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

Abstract:Objective: Statins' therapy in osteoporosis can aggravate muscle damage. This study was designed to assess which agent, L-carnitine or coenzyme Q10, could enhance the anti-osteoporotic effect of atorvastatin while antagonizing myopathy in ovariectomized rats. Methods: Forty-eight female Sprague Dawley rats were used; forty rats were ovariectomized while eight were sham-operated. Eight weeks post-ovariectomy, rats were divided into ovariectomized-untreated group and four ovariectomized-treated groups (n=8) which received by gavage (mg/(kg·d), for 8 weeks) 17β-estradiol (0.1), atorvastatin (50), atorvastatin (50)+L-carnitine (100), or atorvastatin (50)+coenzyme Q10 (20). At the end of therapy, bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and serum levels of bone metabolic markers (BMMs) and creatine kinase (CK) were measured. Femurs were used for studying the breaking strength and histopathological changes. Results: Treatment with atorvastatin+L-carnitine restored BMD, BMC, and bone strength to near normal levels. Estrogen therapy restored BMD and BMC to near normal levels, but failed to increase bone strength. Although atorvastatin and atorvastatin+coenzyme Q10 improved BMD, BMC, and bone strength, they failed to restore levels to normal. All treatments decreased BMMs and improved histopathological changes maximally with atorvastatin+L-carnitine which restored levels to near normal. Atorvastatin aggravated the ovariectomy-induced increase in CK level while estrogen, atorvastatin+L-carnitine, and atorvastatin+coenzyme Q10 decreased its level mainly with atorvastatin+L-carnitine which restored the level to near normal. Conclusions: Coadministration of L-carnitine, but not coenzyme Q10, enhances the anti-osteoporotic effect of atorvastatin while antagonizing myopathy in ovariectomized rats. This could be valuable in treatment of osteoporotic patients. However, further confirmatory studies are needed.

Lipids in the Bone Marrow: An Evolving Perspective

“…The carnitine needed for this transport is easily obtained from dietary sources or by de novo synthesis; however it is interesting to note that carnitine levels often decrease with age. As such, carnitine supplementation in an aging, OVX rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis was able to increase bone mineral density (BMD) (Murad, 2016). While these data are compelling, recent data specifically targeting carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPTII), the obligate enzyme required to facilitate fatty acid entry in to the mitochondria, in osteoblasts, results in compromised bone acquisition in female mice (Kim et al, 2017b).…”

Effect of Simvastatin on the Skeletal Muscles of Senile Male Albino Rats and Possible Protective Role of L- Carnitine. A Histological Study

“…Murad et al, [81] mentioned that L-Carnitine occupy a vital role in the mitochondrial transport and oxidation of fatty acids. Shehata et al, [82] stated that L-carnitine defend against mitochondrial malfunctions accompanying oxidative strain caused by many factors such as aging, ischemia reperfusion, inflammation, degenerative diseases, carcinogenesis and drug toxicity, in vivo or in vitro.…”