Document Detail


Effect of L-carnitine on weight loss and body composition of rats fed a hypocaloric diet.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12378044     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several studies have been published in recent years which suggest that L-carnitine supplementation can influence the lipid metabolism in some species and can also affect body composition of growing animals. Only few results are available so far on the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on weight reduction and body composition of animals fed an energy-deficient diet. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate whether L-carnitine supplementation combined with an energy-deficient diet can influence weight development and body composition. METHODS: An experiment was conducted with 36 rats with an initial body weight of about 460 g. One-third of the rats were killed, the remainder were divided into two groups (control group, treated group) and fed a semi synthetic diet at an energy level of about half of the rats' maintenance requirement. The basal diet was essentially carnitine-free. The diet of the treated group was supplemented with L-carnitine (5 g/kg). The feeding period extended over 23 days. Experimental parameters were weight loss, composition of carcass and weights of the fat pads surrounding the kidneys, intestine and testes; several clinico-chemical plasma parameters were also determined. RESULTS: As was to be expected, the rats lost a considerable amount of weight on the energy-reduced diet. At the same time a shift occurred in the ratio of fat to protein in favour of protein in the carcass, leading to a marked reduction of body fat levels and a slight reduction of protein levels. There were, however, no significant differences between the control group and the treated group (with L-carnitine supplementation) with regard to any of these parameters. The clinico-chemical parameters measured in plasma (glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, free fatty acids, 3-hydroxybutyric acid) also showed no differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The rat model used here did not show a positive effect of L-carnitine supplementation on weight loss and body composition of rats fed an energy-deficient diet. The animals' endogenous carnitine synthesis was obviously adequate to ensure efficient beta-oxidation of fatty acids during the catabolic phase.
Authors:
Corinna Brandsch; Klaus Eder
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Annals of nutrition & metabolism     Volume:  46     ISSN:  0250-6807     ISO Abbreviation:  Ann. Nutr. Metab.     Publication Date:  2002  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-10-14     Completed Date:  2003-04-30     Revised Date:  2003-11-14    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8105511     Medline TA:  Ann Nutr Metab     Country:  Switzerland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  205-10     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel
Affiliation:
Institute of Nutritional Sciences, University of Halle, Germany.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Blood Glucose / analysis
Body Composition / drug effects*
Caloric Restriction*
Carnitine / administration & dosage*,  blood
Cholesterol / blood
Dietary Supplements
Fatty Acids / blood
Male
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Time Factors
Triglycerides / blood
Weight Loss / drug effects*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Blood Glucose; 0/Fatty Acids; 0/Triglycerides; 541-15-1/Carnitine; 57-88-5/Cholesterol

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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