Abstract
The effect of Etomoxir® as a carnitine palmitoyl transferase I-inhibitor was investigated
in normal and chronic diabetic rats. Etomoxir® (18 mg/kg) was given daily for 8 days
by intraperitoneal injection in order to inhibit the oxidation of fatty acids and
to increase the metabolism of glucose. This carnitine palmitoyl transferase I-inhibitor
significantly improved and almost normalized the decreased heart function in chronic
diabetic rats. Additionally to the improvement of ventricular heart function, alterations
in the conducting system of the diabetic heart were significantly ameliorated. The
serum concentrations of glucose, glycerol, cholesterol, tricylglycerol, phospholipids,
and β-hydroxybutyrate were significantly lower in comparison to untreated diabetic
animals, while the serum concentration of free fatty acids markedly increased. In
addition to the improvement of ventricular heart function, the carnitine content of
heart and liver increased in the Etomoxir-treated rats. On the other hand, the lipid
content of heart and liver increased in the Etomoxir-treated rats. On the other hand,
the lipid content of heart and liver increased significantly. Thus, Etomoxir® may
be valuable not only as a potential anti-diabetic drug but also as a lipid-lowering
agent for the treatment of diabetic related dyslipoproteinaemias and, in addition,
as an agent in the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, a long-term evaluation
of the metabolic consequences of the blocked carnitine palmitoyltransferase I is neccessary.
Key words
Etomoxir® - CPT I-Inhibitor - Diabetes - Lipid Metabolism - Carnitine Metabolism -
Heart Function
