Original Articles
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1999. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 15, 1999; 5(4): 312-315
Published online Aug 15, 1999. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v5.i4.312
A study of the ameliorating effects of carnitine on hepatic steatosis induced by total parenteral nutrition in rats
Li-Jian Liang, Xiao-Yu Yin, Shi-Min Luo, Jin-Fang Zheng, Ming-De Lu, Jie-Fu Huang
Li-Jian Liang, Xiao-Yu Yin, Shi-Min Luo, Jin-Fang Zheng, Ming-De Lu, Jie-Fu Huang, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sun University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Jie-Fu Huang, MD, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, 56 Zhongshan Er Lu, Guangzhou 510080, China
Telephone: +86-20-87755766 Ext.8096 Fax: +86-20-87755766
Received: April 8, 1999
Revised: July 3, 1999
Accepted: July 19, 1999
Published online: August 15, 1999
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effects of carnitine on ameliorating hepatic steatosis induced by total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in animal model.

METHODS: Eighteen normal Wistar rats and 19 cirrhotic Wistar rats induced by carbon tetrachloride were randomly divided into three groups, i.e., free access to food and drink (group A), TPN (group B) and TPN + carnitine (group C) for one week, respectively. Hepatic function, histology and its fat content were determined on the 7th day.

RESULTS: Hepatic triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (CHO) contents were significantly higher in groups B and C than in group A, and significantly lower in group C than in group B in both normal and cirrhotic rats (all P < 0.05). Histopathological examinations revealed that hepatic steatosis was more severe in group B than in group C in both normal and cirrhotic rats.

CONCLUSION: Carnitine can ameliorate hepatic steatosis associated with TPN in both non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic rats.

Keywords: carnitine, hepatic steatosis, total parenteral nutrition, rats