The significant role of carnitine and fatty acids during pregnancy, lactation and perinatal period. Nutritional support in specific groups of pregnant women

Changes in the concentrations of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and its precursors in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

“…Since choline and butyrobetaine are produced through the gut microbe-mediated metabolism of dietary phosphatidylcholine and carnitine, respectively, the decreased concentrations of these two metabolites and the decreased concentration of TMAO in the plasma of patients with ALS compared with healthy individuals suggests that there are disturbances to the absorptive and metabolic functions of the gut microbiota, while the elevated plasma concentration of carnitine might be the result of increased endogenous biosynthesis 20 , 21 , 25 , 36 , 39 . In addition, as one of the important precursors of TMAO, carnitine is a critical component in the metabolism of long-chain fatty acids in the mitochondria of human cells 23 , 40 , 41 . The increased endogenous biosynthesis of carnitine in patients with ALS suggests a state of hypermetabolism and deficits in the metabolism of fatty acids, which have been reported in previous studies 13 , 42 – 44 .…”

Perinatal free carnitine and short chain acylcarnitine blood concentrations in 12,000 full-term breastfed newborns in relation to their birth weight

“…During the neonatal period, there is a postnatal increase of carnitine concentration in newborns white adipose tissue, which is concordant with the large accretion of body fat mass in human fetus and the large amounts of carnitine transferred and stored in fetal liver and muscle during late gestation. 5 The coincidence of oral intake of carnitine with milk, accumulation of carnitine in tissues and increasing fat utilization after birth suggests that exogenous carnitine plays the most important role in neonatal fat metabolism.…”

“…In very recent review studies, it is underlined that vegan-vegetarian mothers should be investigated for low vitamin B12 blood concentrations not only during pregnancy but also during lactation, in order to protect them and their newborns from vitamin B12 insufficiency. 5,24 Butyryl/isobutyrylcarnitine (C4) concentrations were similar in all of the study groups. There was a weak statistically significantly lower concentration in group A males only.…”

“…Most common congenital fatty acid oxidation and organic acid metabolic disorders are currently diagnosed by newborn screening (NBS) that analyzes acyl-carnitine profiles on Guthrie cards by LC-MS/MS. 4 The significant role of carnitine and fatty acids during pregnancy, lactation and the perinatal period has been recently reviewed by Manta-Vogli et al 5 Concentrations of total carnitine at delivery are decreased to about half of the pre-pregnancy values. 5 In addition, it was reported that prolonged labor and vaginal delivery are associated with low total antioxidant status (TAS) and lower carnitine blood concentrations both in mothers and newborns.…”

“…4 The significant role of carnitine and fatty acids during pregnancy, lactation and the perinatal period has been recently reviewed by Manta-Vogli et al 5 Concentrations of total carnitine at delivery are decreased to about half of the pre-pregnancy values. 5 In addition, it was reported that prolonged labor and vaginal delivery are associated with low total antioxidant status (TAS) and lower carnitine blood concentrations both in mothers and newborns. These findings could be due to the increased bioavailability of carnitine by the uterus and skeletal muscles.…”