L-Carnitine ameliorates knee lesions in mono-iodoacetate induced osteoarthritis in rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the chondroprotective effect of L-carnitine in relation to glucosamine sulfate and in an experimental model of osteoarthritis (OA).
Materials and methods: Thirty-two adult male Wister albino rats weighing 150–210 g were assigned randomly into 4 groups: 8 rats in each group, group I (control group), group II (MIA induced OA group), group III (MIA induced OA +glucosamine sulfate treated group), and group IV (MIA induced OA +L-carnitine treated group). Weight, knee diameter, and knee bend score were recorded on days 0, 1, 7, 14 and 28. On day 28 all animals were sacrificed. Synovial fluid of left knee was collected, and the interleukin-1b (IL-1b), Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) levels were measured by ELISA. The knee joints were removed and stained with H&E for histological evaluation.
Results: The pathological abnormalities attributed to MIA induced arthritis was dramatically lowered in rats treated with glucosamine or L-carnitine. Synovial fluid levels of IL-1b, COMP and MMP-13 were increased in OA group, and significantly reduced with glucosamine or L-carnitine treated groups.
Conclusion: L-Carnitine has a potential chondroprotective effect in this animal model of OA.