Enhanced inflammatory and oxidative response mitigation by acetyl-L-carnitine in a rat model of pelvic inflammatory disease

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) is known for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This research aimed to investigate the properties of ALC in combating pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in a rat model. PID, a consequence of sexually transmitted infections in females, can impact the fallopian tubes and uterus, leading to complications. This study is a randomized control preclinical experiment. A total of 24 reproductively mature Sprague Dawley female rats were randomly and equally assigned (n = 4 per group) to six cohorts: control, PID, low-dose prophylactic, high-dose prophylactic, and low-dose therapeutic and high-dose therapeutic groups. PID was induced by injecting the rat cervix with a multi-pathogen solution. Acetyl-L-carnitine, 100 mg/kg (once a day), was orally administered to rats in the low-dose prophylactic group, while 200 mg/kg (once a day) to the high-dose prophylactic group, starting 1 day prior to induction of PID. The therapeutic groups were given similar doses of ALC 1 day after the PID model was confirmed. Samples from the right upper genital tract were collected for ELISA and antioxidant assays, while the left upper genital tract samples underwent histopathological analysis. According to the results, the ALC-treated groups showed a decreased level of cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) and oxidative stress markers (catalase, lipid peroxidation) when compared to the PID group. Histopathological examinations revealed that ALC treatment reduced the infiltration of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the uterus compared to the PID group. It was concluded that ALC showed potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in PID and, therefore, could be used as a possible option for the treatment of PID.