EFFECT OF L-CARNITINE IN PREVENTING SECONDARY DAMAGE IN TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Prevention of secondary damage occurring after traumatic brain injury (TBI) reduces morbidity and mortality. The present study aimed to evaluate efficacy of L-carnitine, the benefit of which has been proven in many fields such as liver, kidney and neurological diseases, in the treatment of TBI. Matherials and method: Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were included and divided into 4 groups, each containing 10 rats. The control group comprised subjects without induced head trauma and treatment. The trauma group comprised subjects with induced head trauma and no treatment. The carnitine group comprised subjects without induced head trauma and with L-carnitine treatment (100 mg/kg via intraperitoneal route for 6 times). The trauma+carnitine group comprised subjects with induced head trauma and L-carnitine treatment. Edema, inflammation, and neuronal damage were histopathologically examined. Results: In the trauma group, all subjects had edema, inflammation, and neuronal damage. In the control, carnitine, and trauma+carnitine groups, edema was detected in 5, 6, and 4 subjects, respectively; inflammation was detected in 2, 4, and 3 subjects, respectively; and neuronal damage was detected in 1, 3, and 7 subjects, respectively. Edema and neuronal damage scores were significantly higher in the trauma group than in the other groups. Inflammation rate was significantly higher in the trauma group than in the control and trauma+carnitine groups. Conclusion: Antiedema, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects of L-carnitine were histopathologically demonstrated in the rats with experimentally induced head trauma. L-carnitine could be a beneficial treatment option for edema and inflammation secondary to acute TBI in humans.