L-carnitine Group Research Articles

Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on oxidative and metabolic status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial

IntroductionL-Carnitine is a substance produced from endogenous synthesis and dietary sources. This amino acid has antioxidant properties by reducing the effects of oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on oxidative and metabolic status in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MethodThis was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial performed on seventy patients with T2DM. The participants were randomly assigned to an L-carnitine group (LG) or a placebo group (PG) to receive either L-carnitine or placebo (1000 mg/day, orally) for 12 weeks. The serum concentration of homocysteine (Hcy), fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and anthropometric indices were measured at the beginning and the end of the study. ResultsSixty-four patients completed the study (32 in each group). The results revealed that intake of L-carnitine lead to a significant increase in the mean changes of TAC (0.02±0.01 vs. -0.02±0.01 mmol/l: P = 0.017) and skeletal muscle mass (SSM) (0.26±0.19 vs. -0.46±0.29 kg: P = 0.046) in the LG compared to the PG. These changes were not significant for Hcy, FBG, lipid profile and other anthropometric indices in the LG compared to the PG group (P>0.05). ConclusionSupplementation with daily 1000 mg L-carnitine for 12 weeks can lead to improved TAC and SSM without any significant changes in the level of Hcy, lipid profile, FBG and anthropometric indices. Future studies are warranted with long-term follow-up to confirm effectiveness of this supplementation on cardiovascular disease.This was a randomized, controlled clinical trial (RCT) which was registered on 28 October 2017 in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.irct.ir, identifier: RCT2017100936681N1).

Evaluation of the cardioprotective effect of l-carnitine and silymarin in cancer patients receiving anthracycline-containing chemotherapy

Aim: Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is the most common constraint of its use in the treatment of various types of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the benefits of the addition of the l-carnitine / silymarin to anthracycline chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer. Methods: 83 patients were recruited from Clinical Oncology Department, Tanta University, Egypt, then prospectively randomized to receive their anthracycline-containing therapeutic regimen, control group (n=33), or anthracycline plus l-carnitine, l-carnitine group (n=25), or anthracycline plus silymarin, silymarin group (n= 25). Blood samples were collected at the beginning and after 6 months to measure LDH, CK-MB, cTn I, Anticardiolipin IgG, Fe, ferritin, and TIBC and % of saturation. % EF was documented. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and paired t-test. P Results: The addition of l-carnitine to anthracycline chemotherapy has a significantly improved EF% (P=0.003), Anticardiolipin IgG (P=0.001), ferritin (P=0.001), and TIBC (P=0.011). The supplementation with silymarin to anthracycline chemotherapy had a statistically significant decrease in Anticardiolipin IgG (P=0.000), iron (P=0.001), ferritin (P= 0.001), TIBC (P=0.007), and % saturation (P=0.001). Silymarin group showed a significant decrease in iron profile compared to the l-carnitine group. Conclusion: The co-administration of l-carnitine or silymarin with anthracycline chemotherapy represents a new therapeutic strategy for better control of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Silymarin resulted in more beneficial effects on the iron profile compared to l-carnitine with anthracycline or anthracycline chemotherapy alone.

L-Carnitine reduces the negative effects of formalin on sperm parameters, chromatin condensation and apoptosis in mice: An experimental study.

BackgroundFormalin is commonly applied as an antiseptic and tissue fixative. It has reactive molecules that lead to its cytotoxic effects. According to recent studies, formalin causes a change in the testicular and sperm structure and L-carnitine (LC) acts as an antioxidant to counteract its effects.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the protective effects of LC on the parameters, chromatin condensation and apoptosis of mice sperm exposed to formalin.Materials and Methods In this experimental study, 24 balb/c mice (25-40 gr,10-12 wk) were divided into three groups (n = 8/each): group I without any injections or gavage; group II, received 10 mg/ kg formalin intraperitoneally (I.P); and group III was exposed to formalin and LC, where a dose of 10 mg/kg formalin was injected I.P daily and LC the dose of 100 mg/kg was kept in a solvent solution. After 31 days, the sperm examination was performed as follows: to evaluate chromatin and DNA quality of the sperm, we applied aniline blue (AB), toluidine blue (TB), chromomycin A3 (CMA3), and terminal transferase-mediated deoxy uridine triphosphate biotin end labeling (TUNEL) tests.Results Sperm parameters such as count, motility, morphology, and viability displayed a significant decrease in the formalin group. While the data exhibited a considerable augment in sperm parameters in the formalin + LC than the formalin and control groups (p 0.001), significant differences were detected between groups with respect to TB staining, TUNEL test, CMA3 test and AB staining in the formalin and formalin + LC groups.ConclusionLC can reduce the negative effects of formalin on sperm parameters, chromatin stability, and percentage of apoptosis in an animal model.

The Protective Effects of L-Carnitine and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Against Diabetic Injury on Sex Steroid Hormones Levels, Oxidative Stress, and Ovarian Histopathological Changes in Rat.

Diabetes mellitus is a common chronic metabolic disorder. This study aimed to investigate the effects of co-treatment with L-carnitine (LC) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on serum levels of sex hormones, oxidative stress, and ovarian histopathology in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Female Wistar rats (n = 56, 180-220g) received a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of STZ (65mg/kg). They were randomly assigned into the following groups: diabetic group (Dia), Dia+Met group (100mg metformin/kg/day), Dia+LC group (200mg/kg/day), Dia+ZnONPs group (10mg/kg/day), and Dia+LC+ZnONPs group (200mg LC/kg/day and 10mg ZnONPs/kg/day). Control group (Ctl) received the same volume of STZ solvent. After 21days of treatment, blood serum was centrifuged for sex hormone assays. The right ovary was used for biochemical analysis, and the left ovary was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histological assessment. The levels of estradiol, progesterone, FSH, and LH significantly increased in the Dia+ZnONPs+LC group (P < 0.001) compared with the Dia group. Co-treatment with LC and ZnONPs reduced malondialdehyde and carbonyl protein and increased glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities in ovarian tissue compared with the Dia group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the number of all ovarian follicles significantly increased in this group compared with the Dia group (P < 0.05). The results of this study indicated that co-treatment with LC and ZnONPs could preserve ovarian function by increasing sex hormones levels and antioxidant activity and decreasing lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats. Therefore, this compound supplementation may improve ovulation and fertility in people with diabetes mellitus.

Influence of l-carnitine on lipid metabolism of buffalo cumulus-oocyte complexes matured in either fetal bovine serum or fatty acid-free bovine serum albumin

Consequences of oocyte supplementation with l-carnitine may vary depending on species-specific cellular lipid profile, level of mitochondrial activity, or even on ipid availability in culture medium. This study aimed to evaluate l-carnitine supplementation on competence and gene expression of enzymes related to lipid metabolism in oocytes and cumulus cells from buffalo COCs matured in the presence or absence of fetal bovine serum (FBS). COCs were matured in vitro in FBS (10%) or bovine serum albumin fatty acid-free (BSA-FAF) (0.4%) and with or without supplementation with l-carnitine (3.03 mM). COCs matured in the presence of FBS or BSA-FAF were fertilized and cultured, then supplemented with l-carnitine during in vitro maturation or in vitro embryo culture. Finally, in vivo mature and immature COCs were included for gene expression analysis. COCs matured in culture medium with FBS in the presence of l-carnitine produced a lower blastocyst rate (p ≤ 0.05) compared to controls. In turn, the blastocyst rate from COCs matured with BSA-FAF in the presence of l-carnitine was similar to controls (p > 0.05), and higher than FBS + L-carnitine treated COCs (p ≤ 0.05). Addition of l-carnitine during embryo culture showed no differences in blastocyst production between experimental groups and controls (p > 0.05). In cumulus cells, gene expression of ACACA, SCD and FASN was upregulated in COCs matured in the presence of BSA-FAF + L-carnitine, while all genes in oocytes were significantly expressed upregulated by COCs matured in vivo, and only BSA-FAF + L-carnitine group showed similar expression of the FASN gene. In conclusion, the consequences of l-carnitine supplementation during in vitro maturation of buffalo COCs on oocyte competence vary depending on presence or absence of FBS in culture. With FBS, l-carnitine impairs oocyte competence, while in its absence, gene expression suggests adequate lipid metabolism and increased oocyte competence.

Impaired brain function improved by l-carnitine in patients with cirrhosis: evaluation using near-infrared spectroscopy

To evaluate the effects of l-carnitine on impaired brain function in patients with liver cirrhosis. We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included sequential 80 liver cirrhosis patients with impaired brain function evaluated using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Among them, l-carnitine was administered to 48 patients. The NIRS data and blood ammonia level at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment were compared between patients administered with l-carnitine (l-carnitine group) and those who were not (control group). The NIRS data at baseline were similar between the l-carnitine and control groups (0.04 ± 0.04 vs. 0.04 ± 0.05 mMmm, p = n.s), whereas those in the l-carnitine group (n = 48) were significantly better than that of the control group at 8 weeks of treatment (n = 32) (0.103 ± 0.081 vs. 0.040 ± 0.048 mMmm, p < 0.001). In the l-carnitine group, 35.4% (17/48) of patients had hyperammonemia. The NIRS data of the l-carnitine group at 8 weeks of treatment were significantly improved than that of the control group, irrespective of baseline ammonia levels (0.11 ± 0.09 vs. 0.04 ± 0.05 mMmm, p = 0.005, and 0.10 ± 0.06 vs. 0.02 ± 0.03 mMmm, p = 0.003, for normal baseline ammonia and elevated ammonia levels, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, l-carnitine administration (odds ratio [OR] 3.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–9.99, p = 0.019) and baseline NIRS data of ≤ 0.07 mMmm (OR 5.21, 95% CI 1.69–16.0, p = 0.0041) were found as independent significant factors. l-carnitine improves impaired brain function in patients with liver cirrhosis.

The protective role of l-carnitine on spermatogenesis after cisplatin treatment during prepubertal period in rats: A pathophysiological study

AimsAs the spermatogenesis process is targeted by cisplatin (Cis) that changes testicular morphology, alters sperm quality, and hence causes male infertility. This study investigated the possible therapeutic effects of l-carnitine (LC) on Cis impaired spermatogenesis's establishment during the prepubertal phase. Materials and methodsNinety-six prepubertal Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into four groups. Control group: rats were injected with 0.9% saline solution intraperitoneally (i.p.). LC group: animals were injected for eight weeks, with 250 mg/kg/wk. LC (i.p.). Cis group: animals were injected with a single dose of 5 mg/kg Cis (i.p.). LC + Cis group: animals were pre-injected with LC 250 mg/kg 2 h before Cis injection. The rats were sacrificed at 37, 60, and 90 days old, and their testes were taken for biochemical, molecular, and histopathological studies. The motility, viability, morphology, and DNA fragmentation of sperm in adult rats were also measured. Key findingsGroup treated with LC and Cis showed an increase in antioxidant and hormonal activity compared to the Cis treated group in the pre and post-pubertal period. Moreover, there was an increase in sperm survival, motility, and DNA integrity. Furthermore, LC showed an increase in the anti-apoptotic and chromatin remodeling genes and a decrease in the pro-inflammatory genes. SignificanceLC could enhance the spermatogenesis process after exposure to Cis during the prepubertal phase by restoring the balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant activity, improving hormonal activity, sperm quality and DNA integrity, promoting protamination and blood-testis barrier integrity, and maintaining the testicular architecture.

L-Carnitine Supplementation during In Vitro Maturation and In Vitro Culture Does not Affect the Survival Rates after Vitrification and Warming but Alters Inf-T and ptgs2 Gene Expression.

l-carnitine is a potent antioxidant used for in vitro culture systems. Controversial results have been reported using l-carnitine in culture medium at different stages of in vitro bovine embryo production. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (n = 843) were in vitro-fertilized and cultured and added (treatment group) or not added (control group) with l-carnitine. At day three of culture, each group was subdivided into two subgroups receiving no l-carnitine (group 1), 3.8 mM l-carnitine added during in vitro maturation (group 2), 1.5 mM added during the in vitro culture (group 3), and 3.8 mM and 1.5 mM added during the maturation and culture, respectively (group 4). At day 8, blastocyst embryos were examined for mitochondrial activity, the presence of lipid droplets, total cell number, gene expression, and cryotolerance by vitrification. The data were analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance. l-carnitine added in the late in vitro culture significantly reduced mitochondrial activity and lipid content, and upregulated ifn-τ and ptgs2 gene expression compared to controls (p < 0.05). l-carnitine supplementation did not significantly affect the embryo rate production or survival rate after vitrification and warming (p > 0.05). l-carnitine supplementation significantly improved embryo potential to develop viable pregnancies in agreement with a study reporting improved pregnancy rates.

L-carnitine effects in CCl4-nephrotoxicity: Immunohistochemical evaluation of glomerular nephrin and HIF-1alpha expressions

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the effects of L-carnitine after carbontetrachloride (CCl4) toxicity through nephrin and Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) expressions in the glomerular structure.Materials and Methods: Forty male Sprague dawley rats were divided into 5 groups with animals in each group. Group I: Control group; 0.2 ml olive oil intraperitoneal (ip) twice weekly, Group II: L-carnitine group; 200 mg/kg L-carnitine (ip) twice a week, Group III: CCl4 group; 0.2 ml CCl4 (ip) twice a week for 6 weeks, Group IV: L-carnitine + CCl4 group, 200 mg/kg ip L-carnitine 24 hours before CCl4 twice a week, Group V: CCl4 + L-carnitine group; 200 mg/kg L-carnitine half an hour after CCl4 twice a week. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on kidney tissue sections to show nephrin and HIF-1α expression. Expression densities of the proteins were measured by ImageJ program.Results: Nephrin expression was significantly increased in Group III compared to other groups. There was a significant increase in HIF-1α expression only between Group I and Group III. Expression densities of proteins in L-carnitine-treated groups were similar to control.Conclusion: L-carnitine has both protective and therapeutic effects against CCl4 toxicity in renal glomeruli.

Effects of dietary choline, betaine, and L-carnitine on the generation of trimethylamine-N-oxide in healthy mice.

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is considered to have negative effect on human health. Different precursors of TMAO, such as choline, betaine, and L-carnitine, are commonly found in daily foods. The aim of the present study was to compare the ability of different precursors to be metabolized into TMAO, as well as the possible effect of chronic administration with TMAO precursors on TMAO production. The rate of TMAO generation after single gavage with different precursors was L-carnitine > choline >betaine. Moreover, the serum TMAO level of mice increased more than twofold after administration with choline for 3 weeks compared with L-carnitine and betaine groups, which was accompanied by the change of intestinal flora. After the gavage of choline chloride, the production for TMAO was 2.8 and 1.6 times higher in chronic choline-treated group compared with L-carnitine and betaine groups, respectively. In addition, administration with choline increased the lowest TMAO level after intraperitoneal injection of trimethylamine (TMA) hydrochloride among the three treated groups. These findings indicated that different TMAO precursors had different ability to form TMAO in vivo, and long-term dietary intervention would affect the metabolism of precursors to generate TMA and the TMA oxidation to form TMAO, suggesting that TMAO levels in vivo could be regulated by dietary intervention. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Diverse TMAO precursors exhibited different ability to be converted into TMAO in vivo. The ability of choline to produce TMAO was stronger than that of betaine and L-carnitine. Long-term dietary intervention would affect the metabolism of precursors to generate TMA and the TMA oxidation to form TMAO, suggesting that TMAO levels in vivo could be regulated by adjustment of dietary structure.

Efficacy of l-carnitine and silymarin administration on the health-related quality of life in 120 patients with cancer undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapy

Objectives: To investigate changes after adding L-carnitine and silymarin compared to anthracycline chemotherapy alone on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of women with breast cancer receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Methods: A prospective, randomized comparative, study that included 120 women with breast cancer who received anthracycline in their chemotherapeutic regimen. Patients were divided into three groups, anthracycline alone (control group), chemotherapy and l-carnitine (l-carnitine group), and chemotherapy plus silymarin (silymarin group). HRQoL was evaluated using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 instruments 7 days before chemotherapy and after the third month of chemotherapy. Results: On the application of (EORTC QLQ-C30), there was a significant decrease in global health status/QoL score, functional scale scores from baseline to after three months (P≤0.001) within the control group and a significant increase in symptom scale scores from baseline to after three months. In l-carnitine and silymarin groups, there was a non-significant difference in the scale scores. On the application of (EORTC QLQ-BR23), there was a significant decrease in functional scale scores (p≤0.001) within the control group and a significant increase in symptom scale scores (p≥0.05). In the l-carnitine and silymarin groups, there was a non-significant difference in functional scale scores from baseline to after three months (p≥0.05). Conclusions: QOL was negatively affected by chemotherapy. For BC cases, HRQoL becomes typically worse during the third month of chemotherapy compared with the pretreatment duration. The addition of l-carnitine and silymarin to anthracycline-based chemotherapy showed improvement in the health-related quality of life of cancer patients.

L-carnitine acts as a neuroprotecor against aspartame injury in Wistar albino rat

Backgroundl-carnitine (LC) plays an important role in the oxidative/antioxidative balance of different organs. The study has explored the effect of the daily administration of aspartame (ASP) at two different doses for 4 weeks induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and histopathology in the brain of rats. This study also focused on explaining whether l-carnitine (LC) has potential ameliorative effects against pathophysiology induced by ASP in the brain. Adult male Wistar rats were split into six groups as follows: control animals were administered with vehicle, group of ASP at a low dose (ASP-LD) was given 75 mg/kg B.W., high dose of ASP (ASP-HD; 150 mg/kg), animals were treated with LC (10 mg/kg), ASP-LD + LC group and ASP-HD + LC treated rats.ResultsASP induced large increments in cytokines of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, myeloperoxidase, xanthine oxidase, cyclooxygenase-2, and prostaglandin E2 in a dose-dependent response of the brain. Activities of superoxide dismutase/catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and acetylcholinesterase, besides levels of thiol, glutathione, a brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotransmitters, were decreased in the brain tissue. The inauguration of brain injury by ASP administration was depended on the dose of treatment. Co-administration of LC with ASP significantly reversed and corrected all the abovementioned parameters.ConclusionThe data confirm that LC attenuated ASP neurotoxicity by suppressing the inflammation, oxidative stress and improving the neurotransmitters, antioxidants coupled with the histological and cellular structure.

Comparison of the effects of sertraline and L-carnitine on intradialytic hypotension; a double blind clinical trial

Introduction: Although some studies have reported the positive effect of sertraline and L-carnitine on intradialytic hypotension (IDH), a common complication of dialysis, however the results are controversial. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of sertraline and L-carnitine on blood pressure in patients with chronic renal failure who were undergoing dialysis. Patients and Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 32 hemodialysis patients who suffered from IDH in more than 50% of dialysis sessions. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of sertraline (50 mg daily) and L-carnitine (1000 mg daily), with 16 patients in each group. Duration of treatment was four weeks, then patients were followed up for additional three weeks. The changes in patients’ blood pressure were monitored in each group and the results compared between the two groups. Results: Of all, 18 patients (56%) were female, 14 patients (44%) were male, and their mean (SD) age was 60±15 years. At the end of the study, mean systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were significantly increased in both the sertraline and L-carnitine groups (P&lt;0.05). In addition, nadir SBP, nadir DBP, and nadir MAP in each group were significantly increased compared to pre-treatment period (P&lt;0.001). An increase of more than 5 mm Hg in SBP, DPB, and MAP was observed in half of the subjects in the sertraline group and more than two-thirds of the patients in the L-carnitine group, however there was no significant difference between the two groups (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the administration of sertraline or L-carnitine for one month could significantly increase SBP, DBP, MAP, and nadir blood pressures in dialysis patients suffering from IDH during dialysis sessions because there was no significant difference between the two drugs.

Acrosome and chromatin integrity, oxidative stress, and expression of apoptosis-related genes in cryopreserved mouse epididymal spermatozoa treated with L-Carnitine

Oxidative stress is believed to be an important cause of sperm damage during freezing. l-Carnitine (LC) may have the potential to improve sperm quality after frozen-thawed process. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of LC supplementation in cryoprotectant media of mouse epididymal sperm on post-thaw sperm quality and expression of apoptosis-related genes. Male BALB/cJ mice spermatozoa were cryopreserved in a cryoprotectant medium containing 2.5 or 5 mM LC. The untreated group was cryopreserved with the cryoprotectant medium only. Six months following cryopreservation, the samples were thawed and sperm quality parameters, chromatin and acrosome integrity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels, mitochondrial activity, and mRNA expression of Bax and Bcl-2 were assessed. The results demonstrated that the concentration of 5 mM LC in cryoprotectant media exhibited higher values for the sperm quality parameters and integrity of chromatin and acrosome in post-thaw spermatozoa than those of the untreated group. Furthermore, sperm ROS levels decreased while GSH and mitochondrial activity levels increased in 5 mM LC group compared to those in the untreated group (P < 0.01). In 5 mM LC-treated group, Bax was down-regulated (P < 0.05) while Bcl-2 was up-regulated (P < 0.001) compared to the untreated group. Collectively, LC supplementation of cryoprotectant medium improved the quality of frozen-thawed mouse epididymal spermatozoa, as showed reduced ROS level and Bax expression as well as increased GSH, mitochondrial activity, and Bcl-2 expression.

Efficacy of L-carnitine and propranolol in the management of acute theophylline toxicity.

Theophylline toxicity results in substantial morbidity and mortality particularly due to its narrow therapeutic index. The development of new treatments for acute theophylline toxicity is a point of research interest. The aim of the present work was to assess the efficacy of L-carnitine (LC) and propranolol in the management of patients with acute theophylline toxicity. The study was conducted on 60 patients with acute theophylline toxicity admitted to the Poison Control Center or Intensive Care Unit at Alexandria Main University Hospital. The studied patients were equally classified into four groups (GPs, 15 patients each): the first group was the control group who received standard treatment protocol for theophylline toxicity. The other three GPs also received standard treatment protocol for theophylline toxicity in addition. The second group (LC group) received LC with a loading dose of 100mg/kg IV over 30-60min (maximum 6g) and the maintenance dose was 50mg/kg IV every 8h. The third group (propranolol group) received propranolol, administered slowly intravenous 0.5-1mg over 1min; it may be repeated if necessary up to a total maximum dose of 0.1mg/kg. The fourth group (propranolol and LC) received both IV propranolol and LC in the same doses as previous. Treatment with LC alone or in combination with propranolol resulted in a significant improvement of both clinical and laboratory findings. Although combined therapy yields the best results and outcome, LC can serve as an antidote for acute theophylline toxicity if there is any contraindication to propranolol administration.

Effects of a Dietary L-Carnitine Supplementation on Performance, Energy Metabolism and Recovery from Calving in Dairy Cows.

Simple SummaryDairy cows develop metabolic diseases especially in the transition period due to high energy requirements for the process of calving, beginning milk production and, simultaneously, restricted feed intake capacity. L-carnitine is endogenously synthesised as an obligatory, quaternary amine for the initial step of ß-oxidation, but with the onset of lactation it is also excreted with milk, whereby its availability for other metabolic pathways might be limited. Supplemental L-carnitine might be able to fill in this apparent gap and to enhance the efficiency of ß-oxidation, whereby the magnitude of negative energy balance would be decreased. The present experiment mainly focused on the energy-consuming process of calving itself and on the energy metabolism during the first weeks of lactation.Dairy cows are metabolically challenged during the transition period. Furthermore, the process of parturition represents an energy-consuming process. The degree of negative energy balance and recovery from calving also depends on the efficiency of mitochondrial energy generation. At this point, L-carnitine plays an important role for the transfer of fatty acids to the site of their mitochondrial utilisation. A control (n = 30) and an L-carnitine group (n = 29, 25 g rumen-protected L-carnitine per cow and day) were created and blood samples were taken from day 42 ante partum (ap) until day 110 post-partum (pp) to clarify the impact of L-carnitine supplementation on dairy cows, especially during the transition period and early puerperium. Blood and clinical parameters were recorded in high resolution from 0.5 h to 72 h pp. L-carnitine-supplemented cows had higher amounts of milk fat in early lactation and higher triacylglyceride concentrations in plasma ap, indicating increased efficiency of fat oxidation. However, neither recovery from calving nor energy balance and lipomobilisation were influenced by L-carnitine.

L-carnitine reduces the adverse effects of ROS and up-regulates the expression of implantation related genes in in vitro developed mouse embryos

In vitro developed embryos are inevitably exposed to various reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may decrease the embryo’s competence in assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures. Optimization of embryo culture media using antioxidant agents could help to improve embryo quality and could overcome failures in current ART. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of l-carnitine (LC), an enhancer of mitochondrial activity and free radical scavenger, in culture media on early embryo competence and expression of ErbB1 and ErbB4 implantation related genes. Two-cell mouse embryos were cultured in the following four conditions: 1. LC group in media containing LC; 2.H 2O2 group exposed to H2O2 for 30 min and then transferred into a simple media; 3.H2O2+LC group exposed to H2O2 for 30 min and then transferred into a simple media containing LC; 4.the control group kept throughout in simple media. All groups were allowed to develop until the blastocyst stage. ErbB1 and ErbB4 expression were evaluated by Real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry. The expression of Sirt3 gene was also evaluated. Intracellular ROS levels were examined by DCFH-DA fluorescence intensity. In order to assess the morphological quality of the embryos, ICM and OCM number blastocyst cells were evaluated by using Hoechst and propidium iodide (PI) staining. ErbB1, ErbB4, ROS levels and cell number were compared across all in vitro groups. Our data reveal that LC significantly increases ErbB1 and ErbB4 gene and protein expression with intracellular ROS levels and Sirt3 gene expression significantly decreased after LC treatment. It is worth noting that an elevated cell number was observed in the LC-treated group compared with the other groups suggesting increased viability and/or proliferation. Our findings suggest that the use of LC could be helpful to improve preimplantation embryo culture media through its effects in decreasing ROS levels and the increase of implantation-related genes.

L-Carnitine improves in vitro maturation of feline oocytes and subsequent development of embryos generated by parthenogenesis

The objective of the current study was to assessment the effect of L-Carnitine as a stimulant of lipid catabolism in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro culture (IVC) media on IVM rate (nuclear maturation) and embryonic development. A total of 495 oocytes were assigned into two groups; the control group, oocytes matured in TCM-199 medium; L-Carnitine group oocytes matured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with L-Carnitine (0.5mg/ml). After that 250 oocytes were stained with Hoechst 33342 then with Nile Red dye. The nuclear maturation and oocyte lipid content were determined under a fluorescence microscope. The other matured oocytes were incubated for cell activation by Thimerosal and DL- Dithiothreitol (DDT). Potential zygotes were incubated in vitro culture 1 and 2, the stained embryos were counted and evaluated for morula and blastocyst stages. The Metaphase II rates were 16.2% and 42.1% in the control group and L-carnitine group, respectively. Overall, 9.3% and 14.9% of the oocytes reached at least the MI stage in the control group and L-carnitine group respectively. The addition of L-carnitine in IVM media resulted in a significant decrease in the amount of lipid in cat oocyte. Moreover, the incubation of matured oocytes of the L-carnitine group in IVC1 lead to significant increase in cleaved cells 29.4% in comparison with the control group 15.4%. The incubation of cleaved cell of the L-carnitine group in IVC2 lead to decrease significantly in degenerated cells 12.5 % compared to the control group 42.9% while caused an increase significantly in morula 50% compared to the control group 33.3% and blastocyst 37.5% comparison with the control group 23.8%. In conclusion, the use of L-Carnitine as a supplement in IVM and IVC media decrease lipid content of cat oocyte and subsequent enhance the nuclear maturation, cell activation of cat's embryo, and embryonic development.

Protective effect of L-carnitine on myocardial injury in rats with heatstroke.

Purpose:To investigate the protective effect of L-carnitine on myocardial injury in rats with heatstroke.Methods:orty-eight rats were randomly divided into control, heatstroke and 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg L-carnitine groups. The last three groups were treated with 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg L-carnitine, respectively, for seven successive days. Then, except for the control group, the other four groups were transferred into the environment with ambient temperature of (39.5 ± 0.4 °C) and relative humidity of (13.5 ± 2.1%) for 2 h. The core temperature (Tc), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and serum and myocardial indexes were detected.Results:Compared with the heatstroke group, in the 100 mg/kg L-carnitine group, the Tc was significantly decreased, the MAP and HR were significantly increased, the serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β levels were significantly decreased, the myocardial superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels were significantly increased, the myocardial malondialdehyde level was significantly decreased and the cardiomyocyte apoptosis index and myocardial caspase-3 protein expression level were remarkably decreased (p < 0.05).Conclusions:The L-carnitine pretreatment can alleviate the myocardial injury in heatstroke rats through reducing the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Evaluation of Neuroprtective Effects of L-Carnitine and Fat Emulsion in the CVA Patients: A Prospective, Randomized, Double Blind, Clinical Trial.

Cerebral infarction presents with neurological deficits caused by the death of neurons in a focal area of the brain. S100B is a biomarker that increases in brain damage. Neuroprotectives can reduce the brain sequels after neurological insult. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of L-carnitine and Fat emulsion (Lipofundin®) alone and in combination in patients with ischemic stroke.In a prospective, RCT, and double-blind study 100 patients with MCA ischemic cerebrovascular accident who were admitted in the first 24 h of injury entered the study. The patients were randomly assigned into four groups of L-carnitine, fat emulsion, L-carnitine plus fat emulsion and control. Fat emulsion 10%, 500 mL, was infused over 6 to 12 h and 1 gr of L-carnitine (10 mL of solution) was administered orally to patients in addition to common therapies, according to the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) guidelines. The patients in the control group received only the usual treatment according to stroke guidelines. Blood samples before the intervention, then after 24 h, 48 h, and 7 days later were taken and immunoenzymatic colorimetric method was used for quantitative determination of S100B concentration in the patients’ serum.In the within group analysis, all of our treatment interventions (except control group) have decreased S100B levels statistically significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, changes in observed levels of S100B before and after intervention were different between the groups and the observed differences were statistically significant (P = 0.01). In the GEE model, it was found that S100B levels in the L-carnitine plus fat emulsion group decreased more than the control group and this decline has been statistically significant [P = 0.02, 20.47 (CI 95%: 6.25-34.41)], but in comparison of L-carnitine and fat emulsion group with control group, did not reached statistical significance (P > 0.05).Based on the results obtained from this study, it seems that L-carnitine with fat emulsion could lead to neuroprotective effects with a significant reduction in the S100B biomarker.