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L‐carnitine effect on plasma lipoproteins of hyperlipidemic fat‐loaded rats
Author(s) -
Maccari F.,
Arseni A.,
Chiodi P.,
Ramacci M. T.,
Angelucci L.,
Hulsmann W. C.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/bf02536440
Subject(s) - carnitine , chylomicron , medicine , chemistry , triglyceride , endocrinology , clinical chemistry , ketogenesis , lipidology , fatty acid , phospholipid , very low density lipoprotein , low density lipoprotein , lipoprotein , cholesterol , biochemistry , biology , ketone bodies , metabolism , membrane
The effect of oral L‐carnitine administration to rats fed olive oil has been studied. Carnitine significantly decreased triglyceride, cholesterol and phospholipid levels. Particularly, the levels of chylomicron and very low density lipoproteins in the blood were lowered. Low density lipoprotein levels were not affected, and high density lipoproteins were found to be decreased by 20%. Because carnitine did not change the composition of chylomicron and very low density lipoproteins fraction or affect the gastrointestinal triglyceride residue (about 1/3 of the original load), an effect of carnitine on hepatic fatty acid handling is most likely. The lowering of plasma free fatty acid levels by carnitine administration is in favor of an effect of carnitine on fatty acid handling. The effect on the liver is illustrated by the study of acetoacetate formation in in vitro perfused livers from previously olive oil loaded±carnitine‐treated rats. Carnitine pretreatment stimulated ketogenesis. It is speculated that carnitine administration, by promoting β‐oxidation, lowers the production of very low density lipoproteins. This may be accomplished partly by an increase in the hepatic level of fatty acid binding protein, which also has been observed.