Volume : 5, Issue : 2, February - 2016

Comparison of L-Carnitine Supplementation and ?-Tocopherol in Restoring Bone in Rat Model of Osteoporosis

Dr. Abeer F. Mostafa

Abstract :

<p>&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;Previous researches have reported that both of carnitine and vitamin E have significant effects on bone mass, volume, and microarchitecture. This study compares between the individual effects of L-carnitine and &Atilde;&deg;&Acirc;�&acirc;&euro;&ordm;&Acirc;&frac14;tocopherol on bone mass and structure in the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of osteoporosis and also, evaluates their combined effects. Once bone loss had been established, rats were divided into five groups: Sham, OVX, and 3 treated groups using L-carnitine or &amp;amp;alpha;-tocopherol or both. At the end of the study period, rats were killed and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin (bone remodeling markers), and Cross- linked C-terminal telopeptide (bone resorption marker). Both tibias and the 4rd and 5th lumbar verteae were excised for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and histological examination. The result of this study demonstrated that L-carnitine was able to restore the bone loss in ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis while, &amp;amp;alpha;-tocopherol was unable to reverse the loss of bone in the same animal model. Moreover, combined treatment with L-carnitine and &amp;amp;alpha;-tocopherol showed more improvement in bone mass and bone remodeling markers compared to L-carnitine or &amp;amp;alpha;-tocopherol alone. Therefore, combination of L-carnitine and &amp;amp;alpha;-tocopherol has potential for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;</p>