title: Effect of L-carnitine on ethanol and acetate plasma levels after oral administration of ethanol in humans.
abstract: In a randomized double-blind, cross-over experiment, 0.5 g/kg of ethanol in the form of white wine and 3 g of L-carnitine by intravenous infusion were administered to 15 healthy volunteers. Ethanol and acetate plasma levels and the urine concentrations of acetylcarnitine were determined. Administration of ethanol induced a significant increase of both plasma ethanol and acetate, lasting 6-8 hr. The concomitant administration of carnitine resulted in a significant decrease of plasma acetate, whereas plasma ethanol levels remained unmodified. Urinary acetylcarnitine content significantly increased following administration of ethanol plus carnitine, but not when L-carnitine alone was administered. The resulting conclusion is that administered L-carnitine might trap excess acetyls derived both from free acetate, formed by ethanol oxidation, and from acetyl coenzyme A, accumulated as a result of the ethanol-induced decrease in the Krebs cycle flux.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Bussolengo Hospital, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adamo
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Siliprandi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dl Lisa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carrara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azzurro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sartori
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vita
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ghidini
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000097:blood*; D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000652:urine; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000502:physiology*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000431:Ethanol; D000108:Acetylcarnitine; D002331:Carnitine