Effects of L-Carnitine on iNOS expression and Apoptosis in CCL4-induced Testicular damage in Rats

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of L-carnitine in CCL4-induced testicular injury. Methods: Forty male Sprague dawley rats were divided into 5 groups with (n = 8) animals in each group. Group I: Control group; 0.2 ml olive oil intraperitoneal (ip) twice weekly, Group II: L-carnitine group; 200 mg/kg L-carnitine (ip) twice a week, Group III: CCL4 group; 0.2 ml CCL4 (ip) twice a week for 6 weeks, Group IV: L-carnitine + CCL4 group, 200 mg/kg ip L-carnitine 24 hours before CCL4 twice a week, Group V: CCL4 + L-carnitine group; 200 mg/kg L-carnitine half an hour after CCL4 twice a week. The testicular tissue sections were evaluated histopathologically, Johnsen’s testicular biopsy score (JTBS), the mean seminiferous tubule diameter measurement, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) immunoreactivity and apoptosis (TUNEL). Results: Compared to Group I, histological deterioration, decreased JTBS and MSTD, increased iNOS expression and apoptotic cells were observed in Group III tissue sections. All of these parameters showed corrective effects in L-carnitine applied groups. Conclusion: L-carnitine has both protective and therapeutic effects against CCL4 toxicity.