Effect of L-carnitine on activity of liver alcohol dehydrogenase in diabetic rats

Abstract

Supplementary L-carnitine attenuates ethanol metabolism in rats and thus offers protection to animals against ethanol-induced lipid abnormalities by decreasing the load of ethanol-derived metabolites on the liver. Experimental diabetes increases ethanol metabolism in rats by affecting the activity of liver alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). L-carnitine has been used for treatment of diabetic neuropathy in humans. We have therefore evaluated the effect of L-carnitine on the activity of liver ADH in Wistar diabetic male rats. Two groups (n=5) of rats were rendered diabetic with alloxan (75 mg/kg) and L-carnitine (200 mg/kg day, i.p.) was given to diabetic rats starting fom the 3rd week after the induction of diabetes and lasting for 4 weeks. A third groups of rats (n=5) which was not diabetic and not supplemented with L-carnitine served as controls. The activity of ADH was determined by an enzymatic method. Liver ADH activity in diabetic rats (25±1.9 U/g protein) was significantly higher (p