LAP Lambert Academic Publishing L-carnitine and CoQ10 role in combating deteriorative effect of CCL4: β-Hydroxy-γ-Trimethylammonium Butyrate and Ubiquinone in combating the deteriorative effect induced by CCl4 in rat

Liver cirrhosis is one of the most dangerous health problems which result from various disorders that damage liver cells over time. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the prophylactic effect of L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or their combination against the deteriorative effect induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) on rat's liver. Administration of CCl4 provides a suitable animal model for free radical damage in liver such as fatty degeneration, fibrosis, hepatocellular death and carcinogenicity. The study was carried out on rats as follows: four normal groups (control, treated with L-carnitine, treated with CoQ10, and treated with combination of L-carnitine and CoQ10) and four cirrhotic groups treated with CCl4 (control, treated with L-carnitine, treated with CoQ10, and treated with combination of L-carnitine and CoQ10). Effect of L-carnitine and CoQ10 as protective agents against liver cirrhosis was determined by measuring hepatic content of reduced glutathione, lipid peroxides, ascorbic acid, total protein and lactate dehydrogenase. Also, serum activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total protein, albumin, sialic acid, nitrite and lactat