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Biochemical and biomechanical assessment of effects of l-carnitine on oral mucosal wounds

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Abstract

Objectives

The present study aimed to investigate the oral mucosal wound healing potential of l-carnitine in a rat model.

Materials and methods

Twenty-four Wistar-albino rats were divided into 4 groups: control group (group I), l-carnitine groups (100 and 200 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) (groups II and III), and vitamin E group (100 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) (group IV). A 1.5-cm linear incision was created on the buccal mucosa of each rat and was left to heal by secondary intention. On the tenth day, rats were anesthetized and sacrificed. The tensile strength of wound was measured with a tensiometer. Hydroxyproline (HYP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in wound were assayed by spectrophotometry. Results were statistically analyzed using a one-way ANOVA analysis (p ≤ 0.001).

Results

In the analysis of tissue samples, there was a statistically significant decrease in MDA levels in group II (p < 0.01) and group IV (p < 0.001). Wound tension strength that was seen in groups II (57.88 %) and IV (48.71 %) was better than group III (33.39 %). Hydroxyproline levels in group II (46.98 ± 1.37) was higher than groups III (29.40 ± 1.64) and IV (38.83 ± 1.41).

Conclusion

Although there was a tendency toward faster healing in the groups receiving l-carnitine, it may have a dose-related positive effect for wound healing.

Clinical relevance

With the advantages of having positive effects on wound healing, being a natural substance in the body, being easy to procure, and having a practical usage, l-carnitine may be clinically feasible for human oral mucosal wounds.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks are due to Scientific Research Project Foundation of Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey for providing a financial support (Project code no: 03/2011-36)

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, 06510, Ankara, Turkey

    A.Harika Kutluay Köklü & Dilek A. Uğar Çankal

  2. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, 06330, Ankara, Turkey

    Esra Küpeli Akkol

  3. Yukarıbahçelievler Mah. Eski 24. Sk. 4/6, 06490, Ankara, Turkey

    A.Harika Kutluay Köklü

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  1. A.Harika Kutluay Köklü
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Correspondence to A.Harika Kutluay Köklü.

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Kutluay Köklü, A., Küpeli Akkol, E. & Uğar Çankal, D.A. Biochemical and biomechanical assessment of effects of l-carnitine on oral mucosal wounds. Clin Oral Invest 19, 1101–1106 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-014-1329-8

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