Effect of L-Carnitine on Cisplatin Induced Neuropathy and Nephropathy in Male Albino Rats

Cisplatin, as an antineoplastic drug belonging to the platinum family, has severely nephrotoxic and neurotoxic side effects. L-carnitine (LC) is an antioxidant-rich natural substance. The notion that LC may play a protective function in Cisplatin-induced nephropathy and neuropathy was investigated in this study. Nephropathy was created by a single intraperitoneal injection of Cisplatin at 20 mg/kg body weight, while neuropathy was induced by daily intraperitoneal injections of Cisplatin at 2.3 mg/kg body weight over two rounds of five days, with five days break in between. The rats were subsequently given LC at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight, followed by estimation of serum urea and creatinine with histological examination of renal tissue for the nephropathy group and evaluation of nerve conduction velocity for the neuropathy group. In comparison to the nephropathy group, blood urea and creatinine levels were significantly lower after treatment with LC. Furthermore, LC therapy improved the physiological characteristics of the sciatic nerve significantly. In conclusion, the significant impairment of renal function and the decrease in sciatic nerve conduction velocity induced by Cisplatin may be avoided if L-carnitine is administered as a preventative medication.