摘要
Background L-Carnitine(LC)is an endogenous molecule which is biosynthesized from L-lysine and L-methionine and involved in fatty acid metabolism.LC can be found in foods,but it is especially abundant in beef,lamb,fish,poultry and milk.LC transports the chains of fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix,thus allowing the cells to break down fat and get energy from the stored fat reserves[1].Carnitine is a conditionally essential nutrient.It is a vital factor for energy production and fatty acid metabolism.Carnitine deficiencies can be associated with genetic mutations of carnitine transporters or chronic diseases(liver and kidney disease).Aberrations of carnitine regulation with subsequent carnitine deficiency is associated with diabetes mellitus,sepsis,cardiomyopathy,protein-energy malnutrition,cirrhosis,various endocrine disorders and with aging.It has been found that nutritional supplementation of LC might be helpful for uremic patients,as a complementary therapy for neuropathic pain,or in diabetic patients.Still,it is a life-saving therapy in primary carnitine deficiency.LC supplementation(LCS)is also investigated in Alzheimer's disease and hepatic encephalopathy.It has been observed that topical application of LC in dry eye syndrome is osmoprotective and it also modulates immune and inflammatory responses.There is some evidence in the available scientific literature supporting that LCS may be beneficial in cardiovascular diseases and obesity.There is also some evidence showing the association improved glucose intolerance and total energy expenditure[2].
