Uses
Palmitoyl-L-carnitine Hydrochloride is a long-chain fatty ester of carnitine which is accumulated and released into the circulation, in fatty-acid oxidation defects. Pattern of Lauroyl-L-carnitine can be diagnostic for a number of ?-oxidation defects.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Long-chain acylcarnitine and well-known intermediate in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Modifies myocardial levels of high-energy phosphates and free fatty acids in the heart. Increases erythroid colony formation in culture. Reduces surface negative charge of erythrocytes and myocytes. Reported to affect currents and inhibit endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine and substance P in a dose-dependent manner by suppressing the intracellular calcium signal transduction in endothelial cells. Inhibits the Na/K pump current but has no effect on the intracellular calcium current in guinea pig ventricular cells. However, like oubain, it reversibly depolarizes the resting membrane, decreases action potential duration, and increases the amplitude of myocyte contractions.
