Abstract
L-carnitine (LC) and its esters do not only participate in the metabolic exchange of the cardiac myocytes (they are responsible for transfer of long-chain fatty acids from the cytoplasm in mytochondria) but have other vital types of activity. They have antioxidant and anti- nflammatory effect at various levels. LC is proved to be a direct antioxidant and to remove already formed oxygen radicals as well as to suppress generation of oxygen radicals by cytoplasmic and membrane-connected ferments as a result of formation of complexes with iron and copper ions in their active centers. The leading reason of LC protective effects is change of activity of redox-sensitive signal paths targeted at nuclear receptors (they are factors of NF-kB; PPARs; Nrf2, AP1 etc. gene transcription). These factors control activity of a group of genes responsible for survival and stability of the cardiovascular system to various types of stress, including oxidative stress, and prevent loss of cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells at ischemia/reperfusion and other hypoxia-conditioned pathologic states. The review considers a number of mechanisms participating in protective effects of LC and its derivatives in the heart and other oxygen-dependent organs and tissues.
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