Effect of L-Carnitine Consumption and Endurance Training on Lung Tissue Structure Damage in Male Boldenone-Poisoned Rats

Abstract

Background: Performing endurance training and taking L-carnitine supplements is effective in improving the performance of athletes, but its effect on repairing lung damage caused by boldenone injection is still unknown. Objective: The present study aims to assess the effect of L-carnitine consumption alone with endurance training on lung tissue structure damage in male rats poisoned with boldenone. Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male Wistar rats (weight= 228.53±7.94 g) were randomly divided into five groups: Control, boldenone, boldenone+training, boldenone+supplementation, and boldenone+training+supplementation. Boldenone (5 mg/kg) was injected in the biceps femoris once a week, and L-carnitine supplementation (600 mg/kg) was administrated in gavage into the stomachs of animals, three days per week. The endurance training program was included running on a treadmill for 8-week, three days per week, each for 30 minutes at a speed of 12 m/min, which reached 60 minutes and 30 m/min in the final week. Histopathological changes in bronchioles and alveoli were examined using a light microscope. Results: The weight ​​of two groups of boldenone+supplementation, and boldenone+training+supplementation increased significantly compared to the boldenone group (P=0.005). In the boldenone+training+supplementation group, a significant improvement in bronchioles and alveoli was observed compared to the boldenone group (P=0.001). Conclusion: It seems that performing endurance training along with L-carnitine supplementation has a great effect on reducing the destructive effects of boldenone on lung tissue.