الخلاصة

Nephrotoxicity is a major dose-limiting side effect facing cisplatin-based chemotherapy of a wide variety of cancers. Oxidative stress plays an important role in mechanisms responsible for nephrotoxicity. This study was to examine the antioxidant properties of Lcarnitine in protection from nephrotoxicity due to cisplatin. 32 patients were enrolled in the study and were randomized into two groups. Only 28 patients were eligible and successfully completed treatment cycles. In group I, (N=14) patients received six cycles of cisplatin based regimen with 21 days-intervals. In group II, (N=14) patients received L-carnitine plus cisplatin based regimen. Serum creatinine and cystatin C were measured at base line and 21 days after 1, 2, 4 and 6 cycles while urinary malondialdehyde was measured at base line and 1 day after 1, 2, 4 and 6 cycles of cisplatin based regimen. Group I, cisplatin caused significant (P<0.05) increment in serum creatinine, serum cystatin C and urinary malondialdehyde in comparison to base line levels. Serum creatinine and cystatin C and urinary malondialdehyde level of group II was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of group I. L-carnitine significantly ameliorated nephrotoxicity in patients receiving cisplatin primarily by inhibiting renal oxidative stress.