Tas, SukruOzkan, Omer FarukCikman, OztekinKiraz, AsliAkgun, YilmazKaraayvaz, Muammer2024-04-242024-04-2420160102-86501678-2674https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-865020160090000007https://hdl.handle.net/11468/18645PURPOSE: To evaluate histopathologically the radioprotective effect of L-carnitine on the colonic mucosa in rats undergoing abdominopelvic irradiation. METHODS: Thirty-two rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: intraperitoneal administration of normal saline (group 1) or L-carnitine (300 mL/kg; group 2), followed in groups 3 and 4, respectively, by one dose of abdominopelvic radiation (20 Gy) 30 min later. Rats were sacrificed 5 days after radiation, and their descending colons were resected for histopathological evaluation of the presence and severity of damage. RESULTS: Average damage scores did not differ significantly between groups 1 and 2 (0.13 +/- 0.35 and 0.25 +/- 0.46, respectively); the group 3 score was highest (10.25 +/- 0.71), and the group 4 score (3.63 +/- 1.41) was significantly lower than that of group 3 (both p = 0.0001). Pre-radiation L-carnitine administration significantly reduced mucosal thinning, crypt distortion, reactive atypia, inflammation, cryptitis, and reactive lymph-node hyperplasia (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: L-carnitine had a radioprotective effect on rat colonic mucosa. L-carnitine use should be explored for patients with gastrointestinal cancer, who have reduced serum L-carnitine levels.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessCarnitineRadiationColitisRadiation-Protective AgentsRatsArticle319615620WOS:0003914318000072773734710.1590/S0102-865020160090000007Q4