Carnitine and experimental carbohydrate-induced hyperlipoproteinemia

Carnitine, beta-hydroxy-gamma-trimethylaminobutyrate, plays an important role as a factor necessary for the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria. In order to investigate the influence of L(--)-carnitine on hyperlipoproteinemias, the experimental model of the sucrose-induced hypertriglyceridemia of the rat was used. In these experiments L(--)-carnitine in the dose of 11 mg per day and 100 g body weight was able to antagonize the sucrose-induced hypertriglyceridemia and the increase of serum-free fatty acid level in female rats of the Wistar strain. Carnitine administration did not change the activities of lipogenic liver enzymes and the activity of post-heparin lipase. On the other hand, carnitine administration increased the rate of fatty acid oxidation in the liver. The main result of the study, i.e. the lipid-lowering effect of L-carnitine, suggests the use of this compound in the therapy of hyperlipoproteinemias.