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Effect of carnitine, acetyl-, and propionylcarnitine supplementation on the body carnitine pool, skeletal muscle composition, and physical performance in mice

Morand, Réjane ; Bouitbir, Jamal ; Felser, Andrea ; Hench, Jürgen ; Handschin, Christoph ; Frank, Stephan ; Krähenbühl, Stephan

In: European Journal of Nutrition, 2014, vol. 53, no. 6, p. 1313-1325

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    Titre
    • Effect of carnitine, acetyl-, and propionylcarnitine supplementation on the body carnitine pool, skeletal muscle composition, and physical performance in mice
    Auteur
    • Morand, Réjane. Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
    • Bouitbir, Jamal. Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
    • Felser, Andrea. Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
    • Hench, Jürgen. Division of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
    • Handschin, Christoph. Division of Pharmacology/Neurobiology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
    • Frank, Stephan. Division of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
    • Krähenbühl, Stephan. Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • European Journal of Nutrition, 2014, vol. 53, no. 6, p. 1313-1325. Springer Berlin Heidelberg
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:325743
    Summary
    Purpose: Pharmacokinetics and effects on skeletal muscle and physical performance of oral acetylcarnitine and propionylcarnitine are not well characterized. We therefore investigated the influence of oral acetylcarnitine, propionylcarnitine, and carnitine on body carnitine homeostasis, energy metabolism, and physical performance in mice and compared the findings to non-supplemented control animals. Methods: Mice were supplemented orally with 2mmol/kg/day carnitine, acetylcarnitine, or propionylcarnitine for 4weeks and studied either at rest or after exhaustive exercise. Results: In the supplemented groups, total plasma and urine carnitine concentrations were significantly higher than in the control group receiving no carnitine, whereas the skeletal muscle carnitine content remained unchanged. The supplemented acylcarnitines were hydrolyzed in intestine and liver and reached the systemic circulation as carnitine. Bioavailability of carnitine and acylcarnitines, determined as the urinary excretion of total carnitine, was in the range of 19%. Skeletal muscle morphology, including fiber-type composition, was not affected, and oxygen consumption by soleus or gastrocnemius fibers was not different between the groups. Supplementation with carnitine or acylcarnitines had no significant impact on the running capacity, but was associated with lower plasma lactate levels and a higher glycogen content in white skeletal muscle after exhaustive exercise. Conclusions: Oral supplementation of carnitine, acetylcarnitine, or propionylcarnitine in mice is associated with increased plasma and urine total carnitine concentrations, but does not affect the skeletal muscle carnitine content. Despite better preservation of skeletal muscle glycogen and lower plasma lactate levels, physical performance was not improved by carnitine or acylcarnitine supplementation.