Combined Antihyperlipidemic Effect of Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Bupropion Against High Fat Diet-induced Hyperlipidemia Model

Numerous studies showed a positive association between depression and obesity. In this context, we evaluated the combined effects of acetyl-L-carnitine and bupropion against high -fat -diet -induced hyperlipidemia model. Experiments were carried out on albino Wistar rats (150-200g, 10-12 weeks of age, both sexes). Experimental animals were housed in various groups containing six animals (n=6) in each group. Further hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding high -fat diets for consecutive 16 weeks. From 13 th week, test groups were treated with acetyl-L-carnitine (100 mg/kg, i.p.), bupropion (20 mg/kg, i.p.), acetyl-L-carnitine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) + bupropion (10 mg/kg, i.p) and acetyl-L-carnitine (50 mg/kg, i.p.) + bupropion (20 mg/kg, i.p.) in respective groups. The percentage of body weight gain, locomotion, blood lipid profile, serum hepatic biomarkers, and oxidative stress markers were examined to assess the beneficial effects of acetyl-L-carnitine and bupropion. The combination of acetyl-L-carnitine and bupropion significantly restored obesity, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress conditions, which is indicated by reducing weight gain, improving locomotor activity, blood lipid profile, and hepatic biomarkers, and restoring hepatic antioxidants and lipid peroxidation. Based on the findings, we conclude that the combination of acetyl-L-carnitine and bupropion ameliorates the anti -obesity, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, and antidepressant activity and has better effects than individual treatments.