Effects of L-carnitine on adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy in rabbit.

The authors conducted an investigation in order to ascertain whether or not L-carnitine, by promoting the utilization of FFA for energy and neutralizing FFA toxicity occurring after ischaemia, could prevent or confine adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity in rabbits. The results show that L-carnitine determines a higher survival rate and reduced onset of cardiomyopathy. Histopathological examination of myocardial tissue under light and electron microscopy revealed a marked decrease in mitochondrial lesions.