L-carnitine improves mitochondrial enzymes and energy status in aged rats

According to published research from India, "Aging is characterized by a general decline in physiological functions that affects many tissues and increases the risk of death. Deterioration of mitochondria, the major source and target of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is implicated in aging and a variety of age-related diseases."

S. Kumaran and colleagues of the University of Madras reported, "In [our] study, the activities of citric acid cycle enzymes, such as isocitrate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase, were found to be decreased in aged rats as well as that of electron-transferring enzymes such as NADH dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase. After supplementation of carnitine to aged rats, the activities of these enzymes reverted nearer to that of young control rats."

The researchers concluded, "These findings suggest that L-carnitine improves the activities of mitochondrial enzymes, increases the electron flow through the electron transport chain, and improves reducing equivalence, thereby improves energy status in aged rats."

Kumaran and colleagues published their findings in Experimental Aging Research (Supplementation of L-carnitine improves mitochondrial enzymes in heart and skeletal muscle of aged rats. Exp Aging Res, 2005;31(1):55-67).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting C. Panneerselvam, University of Madras, Department of Biochemistry, Dr. AL Mudaliar Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, Taramani Campus, Madras 600113, Tamil Nadu, India.

The publisher of the journal Experimental Aging Research can be contacted at: Taylor & Francis Inc., 325 Chestnut Street, Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA.

The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Aging and Cardiology.

This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2005, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.