Effect of l-carnitine and deferoxamine on hepatotoxicity, erythrocyte ergothioneine and testicular testosterone synthesis in sodiumvalproate-treated rats

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sodium valproate [VPA] as anantiepileptic drug on liver and erythrocyte oxidative state and on testicular testosterone synthesis. The therapeuticefficacy of either L-carnitine or deferoxamine [DFO] was assessed in such situations. This study included 108 albino rats divided into control groups, single dose VPA treated groups withand without L-carnitine or DFO treatment and repeated dose VPA treated groups with and without L-carnitine orDFO treatment. Liver triglycerides and malondialdehyde levels and catalase and glutathione S transferaseactivities as well as erythrocyte ergothioneine were estimated. In testes, P450cl7 and 17/3 hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase activities were measured as testosterone synthesis. Single and repeated VPA administration caused an increase in liver triglycerides, malondialdehyde,catalase and glutathione S transferase and a decrease in erythrocyte ergothioneine. Only repeated VPAadministration could decrease testicular testosterone synthesis. Co-administration of L-carnitine or DFO withVPA resulted in improvement of all the studied parameters. These data support the oxidative stress as a possible mechanism implicated in VPA-induced liver anderythrocyte damage. Moreover, VPA could alter testosterone synthesis giving a possible link between malereproductive function and VPA. The protective influence of L-carnitine and DFO may be partly mediated by theirantioxidant effects and by improving gonadal testosterone synthesi