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Postnastal changes in the concentration of carnitine and acylcarnitines in the rat brain
Insights
Carnitine levels in rat brains change significantly during development. Total carnitine and short-chain acylcarnitines peak early, while long-chain acylcarnitines decrease, supporting carnitine
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Carnitine and its derivatives are crucial for energy metabolism, particularly fatty acid oxidation.
- Understanding carnitine metabolism during brain development is essential for comprehending energy supply mechanisms in the neonatal brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify total carnitine (TC), free carnitine (FC), short-chain acylcarnitines (SCAC), and long-chain acylcarnitines (LCAC) in the developing rat brain from birth to maturity.
- To elucidate the developmental roles of different carnitine species in neonatal rat brain energy metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of carnitine and acylcarnitine concentrations in whole brain tissue of female rats at various developmental stages.
- Analysis of developmental trends and ratios (LCAC/FC, SCAC/FC) of carnitine species.
Main Results:
- Total carnitine and SCAC concentrations increased postnatally, peaking around 10 days after birth.
- LCAC concentrations were elevated in the early postnatal period (1-10 days) before declining.
- LCAC/FC ratio decreased postnatally, while the SCAC/FC ratio was high at birth and increased in adulthood.
Conclusions:
- Carnitine plays a vital role in neonatal rat brain energy supply, facilitating short-chain acyl group exchange.
- The observed changes support carnitine's involvement in transferring fatty acids into mitochondria for energy in the neonatal brain.
Abstract:
The concentration of total and free carnitine (TC and FC) together with short-chain and long-chain acylcarnitines (SCAC and LCAC) has been determined in whole brain of female rats from birth to maturity. The concentration of TC and SCAC increases postnatally to reach a peak 10 days after birth. The concentration of LCAC is high relative to adult brain between 1 and 10 days of age before falling to a low level. The change in LCAC concentration correlates with previously described developmental changes of palmitoyl-CoA: carnitine acyl transferase activity and fatty acid oxidation. The ratio of LCAC/FC declines postnatally while the SCAC/FC ratio is high at birth and increases further in adult brain. The results are consistent with the concepts of carnitine participating in exchange of short-chain acyl groups and in the transfer of fatty acids into mitochondria as an alternative energy supply in neonatal rat brain.