%0 Journal Article %T Dose-dependent effects of L-carnitine on blood sialic acid, mda and gsh concentrations in BALB/c mice %A Yapar K. %A Kart Asim %A Karapehlivan M. %A Citil M. %J Acta Veterinaria %D 2007 %I %R 10.2298/avb0704321y %X L-carnitine is an essential quarternary amine having an important role in the ¦Â-oxidation of fatty acids. Although L-carnitine was shown to be protective against toxic effects of some chemicals the dose-effect relationship with respect to its antioxidant action and protection from lipid peroxidation is unknown. To evaluate the dose-response profile of L-carnitine on blood sialic acid, glutathione and malondialdehyde concentrations, 40 mice were randomly allocated to 4 groups. Experimental mice were treated with intraperitoneal saline for 5 days (Group 1), L-carnitine at 100 mg/kg for 5 days (Group 2), L-carnitine at 250 mg/kg for 5 days (Group 3), L-carnitine at 500 mg/kg for 5 days (Group 4). Following the treatments, blood samples were collected, and blood glutathione, malondialdehyde and sialic acid concentrations were determined. L-carnitine provided an antioxidant action at doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg with the strongest antioxidant action observed at 500 mg/kg dose. There was a significant increase in malondialdehyde and sialic acid concentrations at all doses of Lcarnitine with the highest effect seen at 500 mg/kg dose. In addition, Lcarnitine caused a dose-dependent elevation in glutathione level. These results suggest that L-carnitine applied at 500 mg/kg dose provides strong antioxidant action by increasing glutathione, malondialdehyde and sialic acid in BALB/c mice. %K L-carnitine %K lipid peroxidation %K oxidative stress %K aialicAcid %U http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0567-8315/2007/0567-83150704321Y.pdf