Effects of L-carnitine on tissue levels of free fatty acid, acyl CoA, and acylcarnitine in ischemic heart

Abstract

In order to evaluate the protective effects of L-carnitine on ischemic myocardium, its effects on tissue levels of free fatty acid (FFA), acyl CoA, acyl carnitine, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were studied in ischemic dog hearts. Myocardial ischemia was induced by the ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery for 15 min. L-Carnitine (100 mg/kg) was administered intravenously prior to coronary ligation. In ischemic myocardium, tissue levels of free carnitine and ATP decreased, whereas long-chain acyl carnitine, long-chain acyl CoA, and FFA increased. Pretreatment of L-carnitine prevented the decrease in free carnitine and ATP and the increase in long-chain acyl carnitine and long-chain acyl CoA. A positive correlation was observed between ATP and free carnitine. On the other hand, a negative correlation was observed not only between ATP and the ratio of long-chain acyl CoA to free carnitine but also between ATP and the ratio of long-chain acyl carnitine to free carnitine. These results suggest that L-carnitine has protective effects on ischemic myocardium, probably by preventing the accumulation of long-chain acyl carnitine and long chain acyl CoA.