IMMUNO PROTECTIVE, ANTI-DIABETIC AND HISTOCHMICAL-ANTI OXIDATIVE ACTIVITIES OF L-CARNITINE, AND CALF THYMUS EXTRACT IN AGED MALE MICE

Background: The mechanisms behind of immunosenescence have remained largely unknown in elderly. Some studies are referred the cause to that, L-carnitine is essential nutrient factor which it is important in transporting of long chain fatty acids to mitochondrial matrix, a process essential for fatty acid oxidation and energy release. The immunobiological properties of a new formulation of the lipid thymus calf extract (CYTOIMMUNE ?) were determined. Methods: In this study, the immunomodulatingeffect of L-carnitine and calf thymus extract were studied in aged male mice. Forty mice were divided into four groups, each group included ten agedmale mice. Group I, each mice was injected intraperitoneal (I.P.) with normal saline for 7 successive days. Group II, each mice was injected I.P. with L-carnitine at dose 200 mg/kg b.wt. for 7 successive days. Group III, each mice was injected I.P. with calf thymus extract at dose 0.5 mg/kg b.wt. for 7 successive days. Group IV, each mice was injected I.P. with L-carnitine at dose 200 mg/kg b.wt. Plus calf thymus extract at dose 0.5 mg/kg b.wt. for 7 successive days. RBCs & WBCs count, PCV, differential leukocytic count, phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, total protein, globulin, albumin, interleukin2, ALT, AST& blood glucose were measured. Moreover, after slaughtering the animals , histological sections were taken from main internal organs (liver, spleen, kidney) to show internal changes of previous tissues and evaluated the protective and antioxidant properties by using the previous experimental preparations (L-carnitine at dose 200 mg/kg -b.wt. , calf thymus extract at dose 0.5 mg/kg b.wt. and combination of them). Results: Theinteraperiotoneal administration of L- carnitine at dose 200 mg/kg b.wt. calf thymus extract at dose 0.5 mg/kg b.wt. and combination between them. L-carnitine at dose 200 mg/kg b.wt.and calf thymus extract at dose 0.5 mg/kg b.wt. for 7 successive days had an improving effect on immune response, glucose level and hepatic marker enzymes as well as improving the histological architecture in the internal tissues (liver, kidney and spleen) and a significant increase in CAT(catalase enzyme), in liver and kidney. These results clearly show the antioxidant and protective property of experimental preparations.