LEVO-CARNITINE NORMALIZES BLOOD GLUCOSE AND LIPID PROFILE IN INSULIN RESISTANT TYPE II DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

Objective: This study was planned to determine the effect of levo-carnitine on blood glucose and lipid profile in high fat diet fed, streptozotocin induced insulin resistant type II diabetic rats.
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Physiology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi from 20th May 2008 to 15 Jan 2009.
Material and Methods: Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups; each having 30 rats. Group I (control) was fed on normal diet while in Group II (Diabetic) diabetes was induced by feeding high fat diet and giving the injection of streptozotocin. Group III (Carnitine) was treated like group II to induce diabetes mellitus and later Levo-carnitine 200 mg/kg body weight/day was administered intraperitoneally for 6 days.
Results: The blood glucose and lipid profile were significantly deranged in the diabetic and carnitine groups as compared to the control. After levo-carnitine treatment the blood glucose level decreased significantly (p <0.001) in carnitine group (6.2 mmol/l) as compared to the diabetic group (22.7 mmol/l). The levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL were significantly decreased (P<0.001) in carnitine group 0.5 mmol/l, 1.3 mmol/l and 0.2 mmol/l as compared to the diabetic group 1.9 mmol/l, 4.4 mmol/l and 3.1 mmol/l respectively. HDL level was significantly raised (p <0.001) in the carnitine group (0.9 mmol/l) as compared to the diabetic group (0.4 mmol/l).
Conclusion: It is concluded that Levo-carnitine administration tends to normalize glycemic control and lipid profile in type II diabetes mellitus. However, human trial is recommended to ascertain its efficacy as an antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic agent for therapeutic use.