Effects of l-carnitine on the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and carnitine palmitoyl transferase activities in muscle of endurance athletes

• Published in: FEBS letters Vol. 341; no. 1; pp. 91 - 93
• Main Authors: Arenas, Joaquín, Huertas, Rosa, Campos, Yolanda, Díaz, A.Enrique, Villalón, José María, Vilas, Esther
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 14-03-1994; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Carnitine - pharmacology; Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase - drug effects; Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase - metabolism; Carnitine palmitoyl transferase; Citrate (si)-Synthase - metabolism; Endurance; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Mitochondria; Muscles - enzymology; Physical Endurance - physiology; Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex - drug effects; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex - metabolism; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports; Mitochondria; Endurance; Carnitine palmitoyl transferase; Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex; Physical exercise; Human; Acyltransferases; Energy metabolism; Multienzyme complex; Enzyme; Transferases; Supplemented diet; Athlete; Carnitine O-palmitoyltransferase; Carnitine; Enzymatic activity; Muscle
• ISSN: 0014-5793; 1873-3468
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(94)80246-7

The effects of
l-carnitine on the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex and carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) were studied in muscle of 16 long-distance runners (LDR). These subjects received placebo or
l-carnitine (2 g orally) during a 4-week period of training. Athletes receiving
l-carnitine showed a dramatic increase (
P < 0.001) in the PDH complex activities. By contrast, the levels of CPT, both 1 and 2, were unchanged. No significant changes were observed after placebo administration. We previously reported [Huertas R. et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 188 (1992) 102-107] that
l-carnitine induces an increase in the activities of complexes I, III and IV of the respiratory chain in muscle of LDR. Taken together, our data suggest that the improvement in (maximal oxygen consumption)
V
O
2max
observed in LDR after
l-carnitine administration is based on these biochemical findings.