Abstract
Simple Summaryl-carnitine might limit the mitochondrial energy generation from fatty acids, particularly in periods of enhanced energy requirement such as during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mediated innate immune responses. This study examined the influence of a dietary l-carnitine supplementation on dairy cows in mid-lactation which were challenged by an injection with LPS. Results suggest that this intervention supported the energy metabolism of the cows during LPS-induced acute phase reaction (APR).l-carnitine plays an important role in energy metabolism through supporting the transport of activated fatty acids to the subcellular site of β-oxidation. An acute phase reaction (APR) is known as an energy consuming process. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are often used in animal models to study intervention measures during innate immune responses such as APR. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary l-carnitine supplementation during an LPS-induced APR in mid-lactating German Holstein cows. Animals were assigned to a control (CON, n = 26) or l-carnitine group (CAR, n = 27, 25 g rumen-protected l-carnitine/cow/d) and received an intravenous injection of LPS (0.5 μg/kg body weight) at day 111 post-partum. Blood samples were collected from day 1 pre-injection until day 14 post-injection (pi). From 0.5 h pi until 72 h pi blood samplings and clinical examinations were performed in short intervals. Clinical signs of the APR were not altered in group CAR except rumen motility which increased at a lower level compared to the CON group after a period of atonia. Group CAR maintained a higher insulin level compared to group CON even up to 72 h pi which might support glucose utilization following an APR.
Highlights
As each cow served as its own control for evaluating the acute phase reaction (APR), the changes over time generally included the responses to LPS
It is reported that an L-carnitine supplementation enhanced the acute phase protein response in LPS challenged broiler chickens [16] and that reduced carnitine concentrations in serum were related to immunological disorders in humans [17]
A dietary L-carnitine supplementation of 25 g per day and cow did not alter the time course of clinical signs of an APR induced by an intravenous LPS-administration, except for rumen motility which increased at a lower level compared to the control group (CON) after a period of atonia
Summary
L-carnitine as as a key factor in in thethe carnitine palmitoyl-transferase system represents a aL -carnitine a key factor carnitine palmitoyl-transferase system represents precondition forfor thethe transport of fatty acids through thethe inner mitochondrial membrane precondition transport of fatty acids through inner mitochondrial membrane into thethe matrix where thethe β-oxidation—one of the stages of energy generation from fatty into matrix where β-oxidation—one of the stages of energy generation from fatty acids through oxidative phosphorylation—takes place [1].[1].TheThe dietary intake, endogenous acids through oxidative phosphorylation—takes place dietary intake, endogenous synthesis andand thethe reabsorption of ofL-carnitine including itsits precursors—N–tri-mesynthesis reabsorptionL -carnitine including precursors—N Ƹ –tri-methylthyl-lysine (TML)and y-butyro-betaine (yBB)—influence theL-carnitine status in mam-[2].lysine (TML) and y-butyro-betaine (yBB)—influence the L-carnitine status in mammals mals [2].Different experiments indicated that anL-carnitine supplementation in the Different experiments indicated that an L-carnitine supplementation in the transitiontranperiod sition period of dairy cows the supported the energy metabolism, more the the lipid as of dairy cows supported energy metabolism, lipid metabolism metabolism by liver a decreased liver lipid accumulation increased plasma indicated as by indicated a decreased lipid accumulation and increasedand plasma triacyl-glyceride triacyl-glyceride concentration (TG). L-carnitine as as a key factor in in thethe carnitine palmitoyl-transferase system represents a a. L -carnitine a key factor carnitine palmitoyl-transferase system represents precondition forfor thethe transport of fatty acids through thethe inner mitochondrial membrane precondition transport of fatty acids through inner mitochondrial membrane into thethe matrix where thethe β-oxidation—one of the stages of energy generation from fatty into matrix where β-oxidation—one of the stages of energy generation from fatty acids through oxidative phosphorylation—takes place [1].[1]. Lysine (TML) and y-butyro-betaine (yBB)—influence the L-carnitine status in mammals mals [2]. L-carnitine supplementation in the Different experiments indicated that an L-carnitine supplementation in the transitiontranperiod sition period of dairy cows the supported the energy metabolism, more the the lipid as of dairy cows supported energy metabolism, lipid metabolism metabolism by liver a decreased liver lipid accumulation increased plasma indicated as by indicated a decreased lipid accumulation and increasedand plasma triacyl-glyceride triacyl-glyceride concentration (TG)
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