title: L-carnitine protects C2C12 cells against mitochondrial superoxide overproduction and cell death.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify and characterize the protective effect that L-carnitine exerted against an oxidative stress in C2C12 cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Myoblastic C2C12 cells were treated with menadione, a vitamin K analog that engenders oxidative stress, and the protective effect of L-carnitine (a nutrient involved in fatty acid metabolism and the control of the oxidative process), was assessed by monitoring various parameters related to the oxidative stress, autophagy and cell death.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Associated with its physiological function, a muscle cell metabolism is highly dependent on oxygen and may produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially under pathological conditions. High levels of ROS are known to induce injuries in cell structure as they interact at many levels in cell function. In C2C12 cells, a treatment with menadione induced a loss of transmembrane mitochondrial potential, an increase in mitochondrial production of ROS; it also induces autophagy and was able to provoke cell death. Pre-treatment of the cells with L-carnitine reduced ROS production, diminished autophagy and protected C2C12 cells against menadione-induced deleterious effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, L-carnitine limits the oxidative stress in these cells and prevents cell death.
authors.affiliation: Françoise Le Borgne, Gaétan Ravaut, Arnaud Bernard, Jean Demarquoy, Université de Bourgogne - UFR SVTE, 21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Le Borgne
authors.affiliation: Françoise Le Borgne, Gaétan Ravaut, Arnaud Bernard, Jean Demarquoy, Université de Bourgogne - UFR SVTE, 21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: Gaétan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ravaut
authors.affiliation: Françoise Le Borgne, Gaétan Ravaut, Arnaud Bernard, Jean Demarquoy, Université de Bourgogne - UFR SVTE, 21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.affiliation: Françoise Le Borgne, Gaétan Ravaut, Arnaud Bernard, Jean Demarquoy, Université de Bourgogne - UFR SVTE, 21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Demarquoy
keywords: Carnitine; Cell death; Mitochondria; Muscle; Oxygen species; Reactive Autophagy; Superoxide anions