Radiation-induced acute kidney toxicity: Protective effect of L-carnitine versus amifostine

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the radioprotecve efficacy in the kidney of L-carnine to that of amifosne. Materials and Methods: Thirty three-month-old Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Group 1 (Control); Group 2 (Irradiaon alone); Group 3 (amifosne plus irradiaon); and Group 4 (L-carnine before irradiaon). The rats in Groups 2, 3, and 4 were irradiated individually with a single dose of 20 Gy to whole abdomen. L-carnine (300 mg/kg) or amifosne (200 mg/kg) was administered 30 minutes before irradiaon. Euthanasia was performed 5 days a/er irradiaon, and kidneys were evaluated histopathologically. Results: Dilataon of Bowman’s capsule, congeson of blood vessels, and tubular epithelial degeneraon were significantly different among the groups (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with both L-carnine and amifosne reduced the radiaon-induced dilataon of Bowman’s capsule (p < 0.05), congeson of blood vessels (p < 0.05), and tubular epithelial degeneraon (p < 0.05). L-carnine and amifosne were similar in protecve effect. Conclusion: L-carnine was equally effecve as amifosne in protecng the kidney against acute irradiaon damage.