The effect of L-carnitine in contrast-induced nephropathy in diabetic rats

Abstract

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a reduction of renal function resulting of iodinated contrast (IC) use. CIN is considered the third cause of hospital-acquired acute kidney Injury (AKI). Chronic hyperglycemia state on diabetes mellitus results in a vulnerable kidney to hypoxia and oxidative stress. Diabetes Mellitus is an important risk factor to development of CIN. L-carnitine is a compound lipid metabolism and antioxidant effect is one of its major mechanisms of action. However, it is unknown whether or not L-carnitine is effective in treating CIN. The aim of this study will be to evaluate the L-carnitine effect on CIN in diabetic rats. Adult male Wistar rats weighing 250-290g will used and divided into five groups: Citrate, Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Diabetes + iodinated contrast (DM+IC), L-carnitina (L-Car) and DM + IC + L-Car. Physiological parameters (Body weight, water and food intake, glicemia and kideny weight and body weight ratio); Renal function (Inulin Clearance); hemodynamics (arterial blood pressure; renal blood flow; renal vascular resistance)and oxidative profile (urinary peroxides, urinary TBARS, thiois in renal tissue and urinary nitric oxide) will evaluated.