ANAPLEROTIC EFFECT OF PROPIONYL CARNITINE RAT-HEART MITOCHONDRIA

Carnitine and propionyl carnitine both increase production of (CO2)-C- 14 from [1-C-14]pyruvate but only the latter, in a process inhibited b y malonate, increases oxygen uptake and (CO2)-C-14 evolution from [2-C -14]pyruvate. Carnitine increases the rate of formation of acetyl cami tine from pyruvate to a greater extent than propionyl carnitine. These effects of carnitine and propionyl carnitine are not detectable in mi tochondria (e.g., rat liver) deficient in carnitine acetyl transferase activity. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.