PALMITOYL CARNITINE

The Uses of PALMITOYL CARNITINE

L-?Palmitoyl Carnitine is used as a diagnostic agent in the investigation of drug toxicity with respect to the liver. Acts as a biomarker in the study of metabolism in metabolic diseases.

Definition

ChEBI: An O-acyl-L-carnitine in which the acyl group is specified as palmitoyl (hexadecanoyl).

General Description

Palmitoyl-L-carnitine (PLC) belongs to the class of long chain acylcarnitine compounds. It is an acyl-chain ester, which can be obtained from L-carnitine via acylcarnitine family transferase. PLC is reported to be used for the phospholipid reacylation in erythrocyte membrane ghosts.

Biochem/physiol Actions

L-Palmitoylcarnitine can change the activity of several enzymes and transporters, localized in the membrane and facilitates the transfer of long-chain fatty acids from cytoplasm into mitochondria during the oxidation of fatty acids. L-Palmitoylcarnitine accumulates in ischemic myocardium and potentially contribute to myocardial damage through alterations in membrane molecular dynamics.