Relationship between carnitine, fatty acids and insulin resistance

Alfred Lohninger; U Radler; S Jinniate; S Lohninger; H Karlic; S Lechner; D Mascher; A Tammaa; H Salzer

doi:10.1159/000301075

Relationship between carnitine, fatty acids and insulin resistance

Gynakol Geburtshilfliche Rundsch. 2009;49(4):230-5. doi: 10.1159/000301075. Epub 2010 May 19.

Authors

Alfred Lohninger¹, U Radler, S Jinniate, S Lohninger, H Karlic, S Lechner, D Mascher, A Tammaa, H Salzer

Affiliation

¹ Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Vienna, Währingerstrasse 10, Vienna, Austria. alfred.lohninger@meduniwien.ac.at

PMID: 20530934
DOI: 10.1159/000301075

Abstract

Increased plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels are a feature of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on plasma lipids and the expression of enzymes in peripheral mononucleated cells (PMNC) involved in the regulation of fatty acid and glucose oxidation. L-Carnitine supplementation of 2 g/day resulted in a significant decrease in plasma FFA and in a less pronounced diminution of the plasma triacylglycerols. In addition, a concomitant increase in the relative mRNA abundances of carnitine acyltransferases (5- to 10-fold) and of the carnitine carrier OCTN2 (12-fold) in PMNC of pregnant women was found. The results of the present study provide evidence that L-carnitine supplementation in pregnancy (2 g/day) avoids a striking increase in plasma FFA, which are thought to be the main cause of insulin resistance and consequently gestational diabetes mellitus.

Publication types

Controlled Clinical Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Carnitine / analogs & derivatives
Carnitine / blood
Carnitine / therapeutic use*
Carnitine O-Acetyltransferase / blood
Carnitine O-Acetyltransferase / genetics
Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase / blood
Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase / genetics
Diabetes, Gestational / drug therapy*
Diabetes, Gestational / genetics
Diabetes, Gestational / physiopathology
Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood*
Female
Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Insulin Resistance / physiology*
Monocytes / drug effects
Monocytes / physiology
Organic Cation Transport Proteins / blood
Organic Cation Transport Proteins / genetics
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
RNA, Messenger / genetics
Solute Carrier Family 22 Member 5

Substances

Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
Organic Cation Transport Proteins
RNA, Messenger
SLC22A5 protein, human
Solute Carrier Family 22 Member 5
acylcarnitine
Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase
Carnitine O-Acetyltransferase
Carnitine