radiation-induced acute kidney toxicity: protective effect of l-carnitine versus amifostine

background:  the aim of the study was to compare the radioprotective efficacy in the kidney of l-carnitine to that of amifostine. materials and methods: thirty three-month-old wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups: group 1 (control); group 2 (irradiation alone); group 3 (amifostine plus irradiation); and group 4 (l-carnitine before irradiation). the rats in groups 2, 3, and 4 were irradiated individually with a single dose of 20 gy to whole abdomen. l-carnitine (300 mg/kg) or amifostine (200 mg/kg) was administered 30 minutes before irradiation. euthanasia was performed 5 days after irradiation, and kidneys were evaluated histopathologically. results: dilatation of bowman’s capsule, congestion of blood vessels, and tubular epithelial degeneration were significantly different among the groups (p < 0.05). pretreatment with both l-carnitine and amifostine reduced the radiation-induced dilatation of bowman’s capsule (p < 0.05), congestion of blood vessels (p < 0.05), and tubular epithelial degeneration (p < 0.05). l-carnitine and amifostine were similar in protective effect. conclusion: l-carnitine was equally effective as amifostine in protecting the kidney against acute irradiation damage.