Abstract
Background: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes are associated with dyslipidaemia, inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the pathophysiology of NAFLD in type 2 diabetes with hyperlipidaemia is not fully known, as well as the utility of lipid-lowering drugs in ameliorating liver injury markers. The aim of this study was designed to study the protective effects of L-carnitine, co-administered with atorvastatin, on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetes and explore the possible mechanism (s) of action focusing on the role of the oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. Methods: hepatic complications of type 2 diabetes with hyperlipidaemia and the effects of atorvastatin and l-carnitine, singly and in combination, in hepatic inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were tested using STZ induced type 2 diabetes in rats. Results: type 2 diabetes aggravated the overall metabolic state and the hepatic markers of injury. Treatments with L-carnitine, or atorvastatin attenuated the development of NAFLD as evidenced by significant decrease in liver index, reduced liver and serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol and confirmed by histopathological examination. Treatment with atorvastatin and l-carnitine further decreased liver tumor necrosis factor, hepatic oxidative stress (MDA) especially in carinitine (250mg/kg/day) +atorvatatin (30mg/kg/day) group. Conclusion: L-carnitine and atorvastatin singly or in combination ameliorated fatty liver by attenuating liver inflammation and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic rats.