Evaluation of Theophylline-Stimulated Changes in Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase Activity in Skeletal Muscle and Liver of Rats

The effect of theophylline treatments on the activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) in skeletal muscle and the liver of rats was investigated. Theophylline was administered at 100 mg/kg bw/day and effects were monitored after a treatment period that lasted between a week and five weeks. Results showed that a significant increase in the activity of CPT was observed in skeletal muscle of theophyl-line-treated groups as compared to either control or placebo groups. However, there was no significant change in the activity of CPT in the hepatic tissues of theophylline-treated groups. The observed discrepancies in activity of CPT might be due to the presence of two isoenzymes, the muscle type (M-CPT) and liver type (L-CPT); it is possible that theophylline affects only M-CPT activity.