Comparison of the effects of sodium nitroprusside and L-carnitine in experimental ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as a nitric oxide (NO) donor and L-carnitine intraperitoneal administration to treat experimental ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.

Materials And Methods: Rats were divided into four groups, each one consisting of 10 animals. Group 1 was subjected to a sham operation. In group 2, an I/R process was applied to the rats. In group 3, SNP (5 mg/kg) and in group 4, L-carnitine (500 mg/kg) was administered in addition to the I/R process. Ileal tissue samples were obtained for analysis of tissue malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) and for histopathologic examination.

Results: By histopathologic examination, the I/R group showed a significant difference from the SNP and L-carnitine groups (P<.05). There was no difference between the sham, the SNP, and the L-carnitine groups (P>.05). SNP used as an NO donor produced a significant decrease in MDA levels. There was a significant difference between the MDA levels of the SNP and the I/R groups (P<.05). Also, the difference between this group and the I/R group was significant (P<.05).

Conclusion: SNP helped to both prevent and reduce mucosal damage in terms of histological and tissue MDA levels. Since the results of the L-carnitine group and the SNP group were similar, L-carnitine was as effective as exogenous NO.