Systemic antioxidant properties of L-carnitine in two different models of arterial hypertension

Abstract

In spite of a wide range of drugs being available in the market, treatment of arterial hypertension still remains a challenge, and new therapeutic strategies could be developed in order to improve the rate of success in controlling this disease. Since oxidative stress has gained importance in the last few years as one of the mechanisms involved in the origin and development of hypertension, and considering that L-carnitine (LC) is a useful compound in different pathologies characterized by increased oxidative status, the aim of the present study was to investigate the systemic antioxidant effect of LC and its correlation to blood pressure in two experimental models of hypertension: (1) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and (2) rats with hypertension induced by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Treatment with captopril was also performed in SHR in order to compare the antioxidant and antihypertensive effects of LC and captopril. The antioxidant defense capacity, in terms of antioxidant enzyme activity, glutathione system availability and plasma total antioxidant capacity, was measured in both animal models with or without an oral, chronic treatment with LC. All the antioxidant parameters studied were diminished in SHR and in L-NAME-treated animals, an alteration that was in general reversed after treatments with LC and captopril. In addition, LC produced a significant but not complete reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in these two models of hypertension, whereas captopril was able to normalize blood pressure. Both LC and captopril prevented the reduction in nitric oxide (NO) levels observed in hypertensive animals. This suggests a decrease in the systemic oxidative stress and a higher availability of NO induced by LC in a similar way to captopril's effects, which could be relevant in the management of arterial hypertension eventually.

Translating the basic knowledge of mitochondrial functions to metabolic therapy: role of L-carnitine

“…L-carnitine caused a significant reduction of systolic and diastolic BP, a decrease in the systemic oxidative stress and prevented the reduction of NO levels in the hypertensive animals. 79,80 The ability of L-carnitine to affect these functions may be relevant in the management of arterial hypertension associated with vascular disease in humans.…”

Endogenous antioxidant defense induction by melon superoxide dismutase reduces cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats

“…Several antioxidants have beneficial effects on hypertension and associated organs damage (Mate et al, 2010;Zhou et al, 2012). Besides treatment with dietary antioxidants, an original way to increase antioxidant capacity could be by supplying antioxidant enzymes, which have longer lasting effects because of their lower rate of exhaustion than mere metabolites.…”

Carnitine for prevention of antituberculosis drug‐induced hepatotoxicity: A randomized, clinical trial

“…Role of carnitine in preventing renal tubular oxidative stress damage and ischemia/reperfusion injury have been reported through inhibition of oxidative damage and mitochondria dysfunction . Carnitine also showed anti‐oxidant effect similar to captopril on the heart of hypertensive rats . In an animal model, carnitine increased platelet glutathione (GSH) and decreased formation of superoxide anion radicals and lipid peroxidation in platelets …”