The potential association between diabetes mellitus type 2 and depression. Role of L-carnitine. An experimental study on adult albino rats

Background: Comorbid diabetes and depression are significant public health burdens as the consequences of both diseases are worsened by each other. Aim of the study: This work was designed to explore the potential effect of L-carnitine (LC) alone and in combination with paroxetine and dapagliflozin in depression-like behavior diabetic rats Material and Methods: Rats were randomized into 8 groups (6 rats for each): control group, diabetic-untreated group, Pre-diabetic LC treated group received prophylactic LC (300mg/kg/day, orally) at start of 7th week, LC-treated diabetic group: received LC (300mg/kg/day, orally) for 6 weeks after induction of diabetes, paroxetine-treated diabetic group: received paroxetine (20 mg/kg/day orally) for 6 weeks after induction of diabetes., dapagliflozin-treated diabetic group: received dapagliflozin (1.5 mg/kg/day orally) for 6 weeks after induction of diabetes., LC + dapagliflozin-treated diabetic group: received LC and dapagliflozin for 6 weeks after induction of diabetes., and LC + paroxetine-treated diabetic group: received LC and paroxetine for 6 weeks after induction of diabetes. Results: Treated groups showed significant improvement in all parameters: body weight, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin level, HOMA-IR, pro-inflammatory cytokines (INF-γ and IL1-β), malondialdehyde (MDA), super-oxide dismutase (SOD), cortisol level, serotonin, and dopamine, assess of depressive behavior by; open field test, tail suspension test, and improvement in the histopathological changes of the brain. Conclusions: L-carnitine is a promising agent in the management of diabetes mellitus type-2 associated with depression either singly or in combination with dapagliflozin and paroxetine