Protection of isolated perfused working rat heart from oxidative stress by exogenous L-propionyl carnitine
Ronca, G.; Ronca, F.; Yu, G.; Zucchi, R.; Bertelli, A.
Drugs under Experimental and Clinical Research 18(11-12): 475-480
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0378-6501 PMID: 1308473 Document Number: 396034
The effect of exogenous L-propionyl carnitine on peroxidative injury was investigated on isolated working rat hearts. The addition of 190 microM hydrogen peroxide to the perfusion buffer caused a marked decrease in aortic flow, minute work and peak aortic pressure, and a release of intracellular enzymes. In the presence of L-propionyl carnitine the haemodynamic damage was significantly lower and enzyme leakage remarkably decreased. The protection was concentration-dependent and the whole structure of the molecule was required, since carnitine alone was found less effective and propionate had no effect. In the absence of hydrogen peroxide L-propionyl carnitine increased heart performance. The effect of L-propionyl carnitine on oxidative stress could account for the beneficial effect of this substance in different models of ischaemic injury. L-propionyl carnitine increases the cardiac performance and protects the rat heart from peroxidation through metabolic and antiperoxidative mechanisms.