Background: Prolonged use of dexamethasone (DEX) has been linked to disruptions in liver and kidney function. L-carnitine and simvastatin, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may help counteract these effects.
Objectives: To evaluate the ameliorative effects of L-carnitine (L-CAR), simvastatin (SIM), and their combined treatment on liver and kidney damage provoked by dexamethasone (DEX).
Materials and methods: Thirty female Wistar rats were randomly split into five groups of six rats each. The control group received only saline, and the second group was given DEX at 7 mg/kg/I.M. once a week for 4 weeks. The third group received L-CAR at 100 mg/kg/day orally for 4 weeks, after 4 weeks of DEX administration. The fourth group was given SIM at 10 mg/kg/day orally for 4 weeks, following 4 weeks of DEX administration. The fifth group received a combination of L-CAR and SIM in the same previous doses for 4 weeks after 4 weeks of DEX administration. The study assessed serum total antioxidant capacity (TAO), and liver and kidney function markers and used immunohistochemical analysis to examine proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in liver and kidney tissues.
Results: DEX received group showed disturbance in the liver and kidney function test markers and histological damage to hepatic and renal tissue while with the treatment with antioxidant l-carnitine, simvastatin there was improvement in liver and kidney function and their histological structure and more improvement noticed in group received L-CAR and SIM together.
Conclusion: Treatment with L-CAR, SIM, their combination reduced these DEX-induced biochemical imbalances and histological damage.