Ameliorating effects of carnitine and its precursors on alcohol-induced fatty liver

Abstract

The lipid-lowering effect of carnitine and its precursors, namely lysine plus methionine, was examined in male Sprague-Dawley rats fed ethanol as 36% of the total calories. Ethanol caused typical hepatic steatosis characterized by significant accumulation of total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterols, phospholipids, and free fatty acids. Supplementation of the ethanol diet with 1% DL-carnitine, 0.5% L-lysine, and 0.2% L-methionine significantly lowered ethanol-induced increases of various lipid fractions, with the exception of free fatty acids. The lipid-lowering effect of carnitine was superior to that of its precursors and their effect together was no greater than that of carnitine alone. The triglyceride contents of liver and plasma were related inversely to the levels of carnitine and acyl carnitines. It is concluded that dietary carnitine more effectively than its precursors prevented alcohol-induced hyperlipemia and accumulation of fat in livers. Thus, a deficiency of functional carnitine may indeed exist in chronic alcoholic cases.

Effect of l-carnitine supplementation and aerobic training on FABPc content and β-HAD activity in human skeletal muscle

“…NonesteriWed carnitine (NEC), acid-soluble acylcarnitines (ASAC) and acid-insoluble acylcarnitines (AIAC) in serum were determined by a modiWed radio-enzymatic method which was originally proposed by Cederblad and Lindstedt (1972) and modiWed by Sachan et al (1984). BrieXy, AIAC was precipitated with perchloric acid and collected after centrifugation for AIAC analysis.…”

l-Carnitine increases liver α-tocopherol and lowers liver and plasma triglycerides in aging ovariectomized rats

“…While liver steatosis was previously thought to be benign, it is now known to be related to several metabolic disorders [32]. l-Carnitine was observed to ameliorate ethanol induced fatty liver in rats [34,35]. Our data show that carnitine markedly lowers TG accumulation in the liver of aging ovariectomized rats, suggesting that supplemental carnitine may decrease the development of hepatic steatosis often associated with aging.…”

Effects of fermented barley on lipid and carnitine profiles in C57BL/6J mice

“…Analysis of carnitine in serum Three carnitine fractions: nonesterified carnitine (NEC), acid soluble acylcarnitine (ASAC), and acid insoluble acylcarnitine (AIAC) in serum and liver were measured by the modified radioisotopic method of Cederblad and Lindstedt (14) as described by Sachan et al (15). mRNA levels of ACC, CPT-I, and PPARα For quantitative real-time PCR analysis total RNA was extracted using Trizol reagent and the concentration measured spectrophotometric and the concetration and the quality of RNA were determined by absorbance at 260 nm and the ratio of 260 to 280 nm, respectively.…”