title: Mitochondria in the elderly: Is acetylcarnitine a rejuvenator?
abstract: Endogenous acetylcarnitine is an indicator of acetyl-CoA synthesized by multiple metabolic pathways involving carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, sterols, and ketone bodies, and utilized mainly by the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Acetylcarnitine supplementation has beneficial effects in elderly animals and humans, including restoration of mitochondrial content and function. These effects appear to be dose-dependent and occur even after short-term therapy. In order to set the stage for understanding the mechanism of action of acetylcarnitine, we review the metabolism and role of this compound. We suggest that acetylation of mitochondrial proteins leads to a specific increase in mitochondrial gene expression and mitochondrial protein synthesis. In the aged rat heart, this effect is translated to increased cytochrome b content, restoration of complex III activity, and oxidative phosphorylation, resulting in amelioration of the age-related mitochondrial defect.
authors.affiliation: Center for Mitochondrial Diseases and Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Mariana G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Rosca
authors.affiliation: Center for Mitochondrial Diseases and Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lemieux
authors.affiliation: Center for Mitochondrial Diseases and Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Charles L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hoppel
mesh_terms: D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D012060:Rejuvenation
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D000108:Acetylcarnitine