Modulatory Effect of L-carnitine on Red Blood Cell and Indices in Testicular Ischaemic-Reperfusion in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Ischaemic-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a complex phenomenon that induces cell damage through a biphasic process and reperfusion. This results in oxidative damage via the reactive oxygen species, inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecule generated during reperfusion. This study aimed to investigate the modulatory effect of L-carnitine on Red blood cells and their indices following testicular torsion. Forty-five adult male Wistar rats were used for this study. The animals were divided into three groups comprising fifteen (n=5) in each group. Five (n=5) animals from each group i.e. Sham, IRI and IRI treated with 500mg/kg of L-carnitine were sacrificed on day twenty-two (22), forty-two (42) and sixty-two (62) of the study respectively. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected from each of the animals through cardiac puncture and a full blood count was done using an automated haematological analyzer to determine the Red blood cells and their indices. Our findings revealed a significant increase in RBCs count (6.30±0.44 x10⁶ µL) for the group the IRI+L treated 62 groups when compared with sham treated group for the same duration and also when compared with the 1RI+L for 22 days. The Haemoglobin concentration (13.49±0.35 g/dL) increased significantly in the IRI+L for 42 days when compared with the Sham group for the same duration. A similar trend also was recorded in the Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). Treatment of Wistar rats induced with testicular torsion with L-carnitine improved significantly the RBC and their indices