Research Article Details

Article ID: A53111
PMID: 12769764
Source: Curr Pharm Biotechnol
Title: Carnitine metabolism and deficit--when supplementation is necessary?
Abstract: Carnitine is an ammo acid derivative found in high energy demanding tissues (skeletal muscles, myocardium, the liver and the suprarenal glands). It is essential for the intermediary metabolism of fatty acids. Carnitine is indispensable for beta-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids in the mitochondria but also regulates CoA concentration and removal of the produced acyl groups. AcylCoAs act as restraining factor for several enzymes participating in intermediary metabolism. Transformation of AcylCoA into acylcarnitine is an important system for removing the toxic acyl groups. Although primary deficiency is unusual, depletion due to secondary causes, such as a disease or a medication side effect, can occur. Primary carnitine deficiency is caused by a defect in plasma membrane carnitine transporter in muscle and kidneys. Secondary carnitine deficiency is associated with several inborn errors of metabolism and acquired medical or iatrogenic conditions, for example in patients under valproate and zidovuline treatment. In cirrhosis and chronic renal failure, carnitine biosynthesis is impaired or carnitine is lost during hemodialysis. Other chronic conditions like diabetes mellitus, heart failure, Alzheimer disease may cause carnitine deficiency also observed in conditions with increased catabolism as in critical illness. Preterm neonates develop carnitine deficiency due to impaired proximal renal tubule carnitine re-absorption and immature carnitine biosynthesis. Carnitine stabilizes the cellular membrane and raises red blood cell osmotic resistance but has no metabolic influence on lipids in dialysis patients. L-Carnitine has been administered in senile dementia, metabolic nerve diseases, in HIV infection, tuberculosis, myopathies, cardiomyopathies, renal failure anemia and included in baby foods and milk.
DOI: 10.2174/1389201033489829

Strategy ID Therapy Strategy Synonyms Therapy Targets Therapy Drugs

Target ID Target Name GENE Action Class UniProtKB ID Entry Name

Diseases ID DO ID Disease Name Definition Class
I09 104 Bacterial infectious disease A disease by infectious agent that results_in infection, has_material_basis_in Bacteria. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathogenic_bacteria disease by infectious agent Details
I02 5113 Nutritional deficiency disease A nutrition disease that is characterized by deficiency of a nutritional element, such as a vitamin, mineral, carbohydrate, protein, fat, or general energy content. https://medlineplus.gov/malnutrition.html disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/nutrition disease Details
I05 9352 Type 2 diabetes mellitus A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus Details

Drug ID Drug Name Type DrugBank ID Targets Category Latest Progress
D328 Serine Chemical drug DB00133 SRR Improve insulin resistance Under clinical trials Details
D201 L-Carnitine Supplement DB00583 SLC22A4; SLC22A5; CRAT; MPO -- Under clinical trials Details
D080 Citrulline Chemical drug DB00155 -- -- Under clinical trials Details
D248 Obeticholic Acid Chemical drug DB05990 NR1H4 activator; NR1H4 agonist; FXR agonist Enhance lipid metabolism Approval rejected Details
D062 Carnitine complex Supplement DB00583 SLC22A4; SLC22A5; CRAT; MPO -- Under clinical trials Details