Correlation of serum L-carnitine and dehydro-epiandrosterone sulphate levels with age and sex in healthy adults.
OBJECTIVE
L-carnitine and dehydro-epiandrosterone (DHEA) independently promote mitochondrial energy metabolism. We therefore wondered if an age-related deficiency of L-carnitine or DHEA may account for the declining energy metabolism associated with age.


METHODS
we evaluated serum levels of L-carnitine and the sulphated derivative of DHEA (DHEAS) in cross-sectional study of 216 healthy adults, aged 20-95.


RESULTS
serum DHEAS levels declined, while total carnitine levels increased with age (P < 0.0001). Total and free carnitine and DHEAS levels were lower in women than men (P < 0.0001). Esterified/free (E/F) carnitine (inversely related to carnitine availability) increased with age in both sexes (P=0.012).


CONCLUSIONS
reduced carnitine availability correlates with the age-related decline of DHEAS levels. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that decreased energy metabolism with age relates to DHEAS levels and carnitine availability.
Chiu
K M
KM
Program in Osteoporosis and Bone Biology, University of California at San Francisco, USA.
Schmidt
M J
MJ
Havighurst
T C
TC
Shug
A L
AL
Daynes
R A
RA
Keller
E T
ET
Gravenstein
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors
D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D002331:Carnitine