L-acetylcarnitine attenuates the age-dependent decrease of NMDA-sensitive glutamate receptors in rat hippocampus.
NMDA-sensitive glutamate receptors are involved in the regulation of neuronal plasticity, and contribute to the synaptic mechanisms underlying the learning process. Aging is associated with a reduction in the maximal density of NMDA-sensitive glutamate binding sites in rat hippocampus. This reduction is attenuated after long-term administration with L-acetylcarnitine (10 mg/Kg i.p. once a day for 4 months). These results support a neuroprotective and neurotrophic role for L-acetylcarnitine during aging.
Fiore
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Rampello
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D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002331:Carnitine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D000108:Acetylcarnitine; D002331:Carnitine