Muscle Carnitine?
Propionyl-L-Carnitine (PLCAR)
is an esterified carnitine that has clinically shown potential health
and exercise benefits such as increasing energy via the transport of
fatty acids into muscle cellular mitochondria, stimulating energy
production in ischaemic muscles during exercise by increasing citric
acid cycle flux and stimulating pyruvate dehydrogenase activity,
powerful activity as a scavenger against superoxide radicals,
protection against lipid peroxidation, reducing chronic fatigue and
supporting male aging symptoms.
Clinical Findings CFS Support:
Propiony-l-carnitine effects were assessed on the symptoms of chronic
fatigue syndrome (CFS). In an open, randomized study 2 g/d
propionyl-L-carnitine was given to CFS patients during 24 weeks.
Effects were rated by clinical global impression of change. Secondary
endpoints were the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. Clinical global
impression of change after treatment showed considerable improvement in
63% in the PLCAR group. PLCAR significantly improved general fatigue (p
=.004). Study concluded that PLCAR had beneficial effects on overall
muscle fatigue.
Clinical Findings Male Aging Support:
A recent study compared testosterone undecanoate versus
propionyl-L-carnitine plus acetyl-L-carnitine and placebo in the
treatment of male aging symptoms. The assessed variables were total
prostate-specific antigen, prostate volume, peak systolic velocity,
end-diastolic velocity, resistive index of cavernosal penile arteries,
nocturnal penile tumescence, total and free testosterone, prolactin,
luteinizing hormone, International Index of Erectile Function score,
Depression Melancholia Scale score, fatigue scale score, and incidence
of side effects. Carnitines (propionyl and acetyl) significantly
improved the peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, resistive
index, nocturnal penile tumescence (night time erection), International
Index of Erectile Function score, Depression Melancholia Scale score,
and fatigue scale score. Carnitines proved significantly more active
than testosterone in improving nocturnal penile tumescence and
International Index of Erectile Function score. Testosterone
significantly increased the prostate volume and free and total
testosterone levels and significantly lowered serum luteinizing
hormone; carnitines did not. No drug significantly modified
prostate-specific antigen or prolactin. carnitines proved to be active
drugs for the therapy of symptoms associated with male aging.
Clinical Findings Antioxidant and
Lipid Peroxidation Support:
A current investigation observed the possible protective effects of a
powerful anti-oxidant propionyl L-carnitine (PLCAR) against
alcohol-induced gastric lesions in rats. Propionyl L-carnitine
prevented alcohol-induced increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive
substances (TBARS), an index of lipid peroxidation. The propionyl
carnitine ester also increased the gastric content of reduced
glutathione (GSH), besides it increased the enzymatic activities of
gastric superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST).
Based on these observations, it was concluded that PLCAR could partly
protect gastric mucosa from alcohol-induced acute mucosal injury, and
these gastroprotective effects might be probably induced, at least
partly, through anti-oxidant mechanisms.
Clinical Findings Exercise and Energy
Support:
An animal study indicated that supplementation with PLCAR (in combo
with CoEnzyme Q10, Nicotinamide, riboflavin and pantothenic acid)
elicits positive functional changes on motor performance of skeletal,
cardiac and smooth muscles. Other studies looking at exercise
performance on subjects (mostly with cardiovascular concerns
(claudication, peripheral arterial disease – decreased oxygen and blood
flow to muscles) and deconditioning, indicated that walking
performance, treadmill exercise performance and muscle strength can be
increased with 2g/day supplementation of propionyl-L-carnitine.
Heat Sealed Container.
References:
1. Exploratory open label, randomized study of acetyl- and
propiony-l-carnitine in chronic fatigue syndrome
Psychosom Med. 2004 Mar-Apr;66(2):276-82
2. Carnitine versus androgen administration in the treatment of sexual
dysfunction, depressed mood, and fatigue associated with male aging
Urology. 2004 Apr;63(4):641-6.
3. Protective role of carnitine esters against alcohol-induced gastric
lesions in rats.
Pharmacol Res. 2003 Sep;48(3):285-90.
4. Enhancement of muscular performance by a coformulation of
propionyl-L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10, nicotinamide, riboflavin and
pantothenic acid in the rat.
Physiol Behav. 2002 Jun 1;76(2):257-63.
5. Effect of propionyl-L-carnitine on exercise performance in
peripheral arterial disease.
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001 Sep;33(9):1415-22.
6. Propionyl-L-carnitine improves exercise performance and functional
status in patients with claudication.
Am J Med. 2001 Jun 1;110(8):616-22.
7. Changes in skeletal muscle histology and metabolism in patients
undergoing exercise deconditioning: effect of propionyl-L-carnitine.
Muscle Nerve. 1997 Sep;20(9):1115-20.