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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism01:28

Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism

Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms are arranged differently. Most lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
Fats as Energy Storage Molecules01:06

Fats as Energy Storage Molecules

Triglycerides are a form of long-term energy storage molecules. They are made of glycerol and three fatty acids. To obtain energy from fat, triglycerides must first be broken down by hydrolysis into their two principal components, fatty acids and glycerol. This process, called lipolysis, takes place in the cytoplasm. The resulting fatty acids are oxidized by β-oxidation into acetyl-CoA, which is used by the Krebs cycle. The glycerol that is released from triglycerides after lipolysis directly...
Fats as Energy Storage Molecules01:06

Fats as Energy Storage Molecules

Triglycerides are a form of long-term energy storage molecules. They are made of glycerol and three fatty acids. To obtain energy from fat, triglycerides must first be broken down by hydrolysis into their two principal components, fatty acids and glycerol. This process, called lipolysis, takes place in the cytoplasm. The resulting fatty acids are oxidized by β-oxidation into acetyl-CoA, which is used by the Krebs cycle. The glycerol that is released from triglycerides after lipolysis directly...
Lipid Catabolism01:25

Lipid Catabolism

Triglycerides serve as crucial long-term energy storage molecules in microorganisms, providing a dense source of metabolic energy. Their breakdown is mediated by lipases, which hydrolyze triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids. Each of these components follows distinct metabolic pathways, ultimately contributing to ATP synthesis and cellular energy homeostasis.Glycerol MetabolismGlycerol, released from triglyceride hydrolysis, is phosphorylated by glycerol kinase to form...
Pyruvate Oxidation01:15

Pyruvate Oxidation

After glycolysis, the charged pyruvate molecules enter the mitochondria via active transport and undergo three enzymatic reactions. These reactions ensure that pyruvate can enter the next metabolic pathway so that energy stored in the pyruvate molecules can be harnessed by the cells.
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue01:24

Muscle Recovery and Fatigue

Muscle fatigue refers to the decline in a muscle's ability to maintain the force of contraction after prolonged activity. It primarily stems from changes within muscle fibers. Even before experiencing muscle fatigue, one may feel tired and have the urge to stop the activity. This response, known as central fatigue, occurs due to changes in the central nervous system, namely the brain and spinal cord. While there is no single mechanism that induces fatigue, it may serve as a protective response...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Measurement of Fatty Acid &#946;-Oxidation in a Suspension of Freshly Isolated Mouse Hepatocytes
11:03

Measurement of Fatty Acid β-Oxidation in a Suspension of Freshly Isolated Mouse Hepatocytes

Published on: September 9, 2021

Carnitine and fat oxidation.

Francis B Stephens1, Stuart D R Galloway

  • 1MRC/Arthritis Research UK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.

Nestle Nutrition Institute Workshop Series
|August 1, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Carnitine plays a key role in skeletal muscle fat oxidation during endurance exercise. Increasing carnitine levels may improve endurance by enhancing fat use and sparing muscle glycogen.

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Assessing Energy Substrate Oxidation In Vitro with 14CO2 Trapping
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Assessing Energy Substrate Oxidation In Vitro with 14CO2 Trapping

Published on: March 23, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Measurement of Fatty Acid &#946;-Oxidation in a Suspension of Freshly Isolated Mouse Hepatocytes
11:03

Measurement of Fatty Acid β-Oxidation in a Suspension of Freshly Isolated Mouse Hepatocytes

Published on: September 9, 2021

Assessing Energy Substrate Oxidation In Vitro with 14CO2 Trapping
09:20

Assessing Energy Substrate Oxidation In Vitro with 14CO2 Trapping

Published on: March 23, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Metabolic Biochemistry
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Human skeletal muscle relies on fat and carbohydrate for ATP production during endurance exercise.
  • Fat oxidation rate declines at higher exercise intensities (around 65% VO₂max), increasing reliance on muscle glycogen.
  • Augmenting fat oxidation could delay glycogen depletion and enhance endurance performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review carnitine's role in skeletal muscle fat and carbohydrate oxidation during exercise.
  • To propose a hypothesis that muscle free carnitine availability limits fat oxidation rates.
  • To highlight research on carnitine supplementation's impact on exercise metabolism.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on carnitine, fat oxidation, and exercise metabolism.
  • Analysis of studies investigating the effects of increasing muscle carnitine pools.
  • Examination of exercise intensity-dependent effects on substrate utilization.

Main Results:

  • Carnitine is crucial for transporting fatty acids into mitochondria for oxidation.
  • Muscle free carnitine availability may be a limiting factor for fat oxidation rate.
  • Increased muscle carnitine has shown significant effects on fat and carbohydrate metabolism during exercise.

Conclusions:

  • Muscle carnitine availability is a potential limiting factor for fat oxidation during endurance exercise.
  • Modulating muscle carnitine levels may represent a strategy to improve endurance performance.
  • The impact of carnitine on metabolism is exercise intensity-dependent.