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L‐Carnitine increases liver alpha‐tocopherol and lowers liver and plasma triglycerides in aging ovariectomized rats
Author(s) -
Clark Richard M,
Balakrishnan Anju,
Waters David,
Aggarwal Dimple,
Owen Kevin Q,
Koo Sung I
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a715
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , ovariectomized rat , carnitine , triglyceride , vitamin e , retinol , chemistry , alpha tocopherol , vitamin , alpha (finance) , antioxidant , cholesterol , biology , estrogen , biochemistry , construct validity , nursing , patient satisfaction
The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary L‐carnitine (CN) influences the status of alpha‐tocopherol, retinol and selected lipid parameters in aging ovariectomized rats, a model for the menopausal state. Fourteen Fisher‐344 female rats, 18 m old were acclimated for 4 wks and ovarectomized. Rats were assigned to either a control group fed ad libitum AIN‐93M diet or a CN group fed the same diet supplemented with CN. After an 8 wk feeding period, blood and selected tissues were taken for analyses. No differences were noted in food intake, body weight, or organ weights due to CN. Dietary CN significantly increased liver alpha‐tocopherol and tended to increase plasma alpha‐tocopherol (P < 0.09). No changes in alpha‐tocopherol were observed in other tissues including the brain, lungs, and retroperitoneal fat. Retinol levels in plasma and tissues were not affected by supplemental CN. Significant decreases in liver and plasma triglyceride (TG) levels were noted suggesting increased utilization of fatty acids. No differences were observed in the fatty acid profile of tissues. In conclusion CN supplementation enhances vitamin E status and improves the utilization of fat leading to lowering of the liver and plasma levels of TG in aging ovariectomized rats. It remains to be determined whether dietary supplementation of CN enhances antioxidant defense and lowers plasma TG in postmenopausal women.