The effect of intravenous L-Carnitine on the vasospasm process in the experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage model

Abstract

Aim: Cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In this study, we examined the effects of L-carnitine on the cerebral vasospasm process. Material and Methods: Twenty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group 1 served as control; group 2 was not subjected to SAH and received intravenous L-carnitine 3 times; group 3 was subjected to SAH and group 4 was subjected to SAH and treated with 100 mg/kg intravenous L-carnitine at 0, 24, and 48 hours after SAH. All animals were euthanized by perfusion-fixation 72 hours after SAH induction. The brains were then removed and stored in fixative +4°C overnight. The subjects' basilar arteries were sectioned from four separate zones. Basilar artery cross-sectional areas and thicknesses of vessels were measured by using the SPOT for Windows Version 4.1 computer programme. Statistical comparisons were performed by using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Basilar artery wall thicknesses in group 4 were significantly lower than in group 3 (p=0.009). Basilar artery cross-sectional areas in group 4 were higher than in group 3 and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.008). ConclusIon: L-carnitine was shown to be potentially beneficial on the resolution of cerebral vasospasm following SAH.