Comparative study on the effect of L-carnitine and α-lipoic acid against hepatic encephalopathy induced in male rats

Abstract

The present study was constructed to investigate the potent role of L-carnitine, α-lipoic acid either individually or in combination in management of hepatic encephalopathy in adult male rats. The aim of this study was extended to elucidate the most effective therapy against experimental hepatic encephalopathy. This study was conducted on 80 adult male albino rats divided into 8 groups: Group (1) control group received saline intraperitoneally (i.p) for 3 days (3 days control group), Group (2) Thioacetamide (TAA) group in which the rats were injected i.p with 100 mg/ kg b. wt TAA for 3 days (3 days TAA group), Group (3) control group received saline i.p for 3 days and left for 3 months (3 months control group), Group (4) TAA group in which the rats were injected i.p with TAA for 3 days and left for 3 Abstract months (3 months TAA group), Group (5) Lactulose-treated group in which the rats were injected i.p with TAA for 3 days and then treated orally with lactulose (8 ml / kg b.wt ) for 3 months, Group (6) L-carnitine-treated group in which the rats were injected i.p with TAA for 3 days and then treated orally with L-carnitine (100 mg /kg b.wt) for 3 months, Group (7) α-lipoic acid-treated group in which the rats were i.p injected with TAA for 3 days and then treated orally with α-lipoic acid (100 mg /kg b.wt) for 3 months and Group (8) L-carnitine + α-lipoic acid-treated group in which the rats were injected i.p with TAA for 3 days and then treated orally with a combined dose of L-carnitine and α-lipoic acid for 3 months.