L-carnitine inhibits eryptosis induced by uremic serum

AIM: To investigate whether L-carnitine (LC) inhibits the eryptosis effect of uremic serum on erythrocytes. METHODS: Erythrocyte suspension (2%) was cultured and divided into 3 groups in vitro: control group (C group), uremic serum group (U group, 30% uremic serum), and uremic serum+ LC group (L group, 30% uremic serum+200 μmol/L LC). Erythrocytes were collected at 24 h and 48 h. Eryptosis (phosphatidylserine expression represents eryptosis) was estimated by flow cytometry with Annexin V staining. The content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also detected. Glutathione (GSH) was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Eryptosis in C group was increased as the incubating time extended. Eryptosis in U group was higher than that in C group, while that in L group was lower than that in U group. Meanwhile, ROS content was higher and GSH was lower in U group than those in C group. ROS content was lower and GSH was higher in L group than those in C group. CONCLUSION: LC inhibits uremic serum-induced eryptosis by decreasing ROS and increasing GSH, thus attenuating oxidative stress.