Single Dose Administration of L-Carnitine Improves Antioxidant Activities in Healthy Subjects

Abstract

L-carnitine has been used as a supplement to treat cardiovascular or liver disease. However, there has been little information about the effect of L-carnitine on anti-oxidation capability in healthy human subjects. This study was designed to investigate the correlation between plasma L-carnitine concentration and antioxidant activity. Liquid L-carnitine (2.0 g) was administered orally as a single dose in 12 healthy subjects. Plasma concentration of L-carnitine was detected by HPLC. The baseline concentration of L-carnitine was 39.14 ± 5.65 μmol/L. After single oral administration, the maximum plasma concentration (C max ) and area under the curve (AUC 0-∞ ) were 84.7 ± 25.2 μmol/L and 2,676.4 ± 708.3 μmol/L·h, respectively. The half-life and the time required to reach the C max was 60.3 ± 15.0 min and 3.4 ± 0.46 h, respectively. There was a gradual increase in plasma concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase and total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) in the first 3.5 h following L-carnitine administration. The plasma concentrations of SOD, GSH-Px, catalase and T-AOC returned to baseline levels within 24 h. A positive correlation was found between L-carnitine concentration and the antioxidant index of SOD (r = 0.992, P < 0.01), GSH-Px (r = 0.932, P < 0.01), catalase (r = 0.972, P < 0.01) or T-AOC (r = 0.934, P < 0.01). In conclusion, L-carnitine increases activities of antioxidant enzymes and the total antioxidant capacity in healthy subjects. It may be useful as a supplementary therapy for chronic illnesses involving excessive oxidative stress.

Urinary excretion of L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, propionyl-L-carnitine and their antioxidant activities after single dose administration of L-carnitine in healthy subjects

“…These effects could in turn reduce oxidative stress-induced inflammation and insulin resistance (Evans et al, 2003). We have also previously reported that aadministration of liquid LC could raise the activities of plasma antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity in a concentrationdependent manner in healthy human volunteers (Cao et al, 2011). In the present study, the transmutation of urine SOD, T-AOC, NO, and MDA provides further evidence to confirm that LC could increase the antioxidant activities in healthy subjects.…”

“…LC also raises the activities of blood antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity in a concentration-dependent manner (Cao et al, 2011). However, there has been limited information about the relationships between the urine concentrations of LC and and anti-oxidation in in healthy humans.…”

“…The derivatives were monitored with a fluorimetric detector set at 248 nm excitation wavelength and 418 nm emission wavelength. We have previously reported the extraction procedure and validation of the methodologies (Cao et al, 2009(Cao et al, , 2011. …”

Impact on L‐carnitine Homeostasis of Short‐term Treatment with the Pivalate Prodrug Tenofovir Dipivoxil

“…L-carnitine concentrations were determined using the modified LC-MS/MS system consisting of an Agilent 1200 series HPLC and an Agilent 6410 triple quadruple mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source (Agilent Technologies, USA) [12]. The chromatographic separation was performed on a DIKMA Spursil C 18 -EP (150 mm 9 4.6 mm, 5 lm) column.…”

Decreased level of serum carnitine might lead to arteriosclerosis progression via the accumulation of advanced glycation end products in maintenance hemodialysis patients

“…Moreover, it improves insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscles by promoting glucose utilization [8]. Carnitine also suppresses oxidative stress by chelating free Fe 2+ ion and activating antioxidants [9]. The antioxidant efficacy of carnitine treatment has been reported in various conditions such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, or aging that increase systemic oxidative stress [10][11][12][13].…”