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Carnitine in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mononuclear cells, and platelets
K Katrib1, A H Adlouni, G Férard
1Department of Applied Biochemistry, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France.
Insights
Carnitine is primarily found in white blood cells, specifically polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear cells, not red blood cells. This distribution accounts for most of the carnitine content in human blood.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Carnitine is essential for energy metabolism.
- Understanding carnitine distribution in blood components is crucial for metabolic research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the quantitative distribution of total carnitine in various human blood cell types and plasma.
- To identify the primary cellular reservoirs of carnitine within the blood.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of total carnitine levels in isolated red blood cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mononuclear cells, platelets, and plasma.
- Quantification using spectrophotometric methods in 15 healthy adult subjects.
Main Results:
- Carnitine was absent in red blood cells.
- Significant carnitine concentrations were found in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (52.2 ± 16.9 μmol/10⁹ cells) and mononuclear cells (41.9 ± 9.3 μmol/10⁹ cells).
- Platelets contained lower amounts (49.0 ± 8.4 nmol/10⁹ cells), and plasma levels were 51.5 ± 3.3 μmol/L.
Conclusions:
- Blood carnitine is predominantly localized in leukocytes, accounting for 83% of the whole-blood content.
- Polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear cells are the main repositories of carnitine in human circulation.
Abstract:
We tried to study the distribution of carnitine in human blood. Total carnitine (free plus acylcarnitine) was determined in red blood cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mononuclear cells, platelets, and plasma from 15 apparently healthy adults. We did not find carnitine in red blood cells but found it in significant amounts in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear cells, 52.2 +/- 16.9 and 41.9 +/- 9.3 mumol/10(9) cells (mean +/- 1 SD), respectively. We also found that platelets contain carnitine in small amounts, 49.0 +/- 8.4 nmol/10(9) cells. In plasma the carnitine concentration was 51.5 +/- 3.3 mumol/L. We conclude that blood carnitine is localized mainly in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear cells (83% of whole-blood carnitine).