Cardioprotective effects of L-carnitine on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts

Abstract

The. effects of L-carnitine (LC) on myocardial infarct size and apoptosis and hemodynamic factors in isolated rat hearts were studied. The hearts at the set of 30 min regional ischemia and 120 min reperfusion (I/R) were perfused by drug free or LC-enriched Krebs -Henseleit solution during I/R (protocol 1), 10 min before and after ischemia (protocol 2) or reperfusion (protocol 3). Infarct size and the mean number of apoptotic cells were reduced by LC significantly (p < 0.001). LC (2.5-5 mM) increased the developed pressure and lowered the elevated LVEDP during reperfusion (p < 0.05). Beneficial effects of LC against I/R injury is probably related to increase in glucose and fatty acid oxidation, reduction of toxic effects of LCFAs metabolites and oxygen free radicals in the reperfused hearts.