Expression of insulin receptors on rat aorta after administration of l-carnitine

摘要

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of insulin receptors on endothelial cells of rat aorta after administration of l-carnitine in old aged rats. Two groups of Wistar rats, 20 months old, were used: the study group and the control group. The study group received l-carnitine at a dose of 300mg/kg b.w./day intraperitoneally for 35 days. The control group received normal saline in the same way. Specimens of the aorta were prepared for immunohistochemical study, using a monoclonal anti-insulin antibody. In the control group, the endothelial cells of the aorta showed no staining for insulin receptors. In the study group, insulin receptors were detected on endothelial cells of the aorta. It seems that l-carnitine induces the expression of insulin receptors on the surface of endothelial cells of rat aorta, exhibiting a beneficial effect in insulin resistant diabetes, as it may increase hydrocarbon metabolism in diabetic patients receiving l-carnitine.