Carnitine and experimental carbohydrate-induced hyperlipoproteinemia.
Carnitine, beta-hydroxy-gamma-trimethylaminobutyrate, plays an important role as a factor necessary for the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria. In order to investigate the influence of L(--)-carnitine on hyperlipoproteinemias, the experimental model of the sucrose-induced hypertriglyceridemia of the rat was used. In these experiments L(--)-carnitine in the dose of 11 mg per day and 100 g body weight was able to antagonize the sucrose-induced hypertriglyceridemia and the increase of serum-free fatty acid level in female rats of the Wistar strain. Carnitine administration did not change the activities of lipogenic liver enzymes and the activity of post-heparin lipase. On the other hand, carnitine administration increased the rate of fatty acid oxidation in the liver. The main result of the study, i.e. the lipid-lowering effect of L-carnitine, suggests the use of this compound in the therapy of hyperlipoproteinemias.
Richter
V
V
Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostic, Medical Faculty, Karl-Marx-University, Leipzig, G.D.R.
Rassoul
F
F
Schulz
G
G
Sittner
W D
WD
Seim
H
H
Löster
H
H
Rotzsch
W
W
D000818:Animals; D002331:Carnitine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006951:Hyperlipoproteinemias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013395:Sucrose; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D014280:Triglycerides; D013395:Sucrose; D002784:Cholesterol; D002331:Carnitine