J. Labadaridis et al., Carnitine supplementation and ketogenesis by small-for-date neonates on medium- and long-chain fatty acid formulae, BIOL NEONAT, 77(1), 2000, pp. 25-28
Carnitine is a key molecule in energy production from various substrates, A
lthough it is generally believed that it plays no role in the metabolism of
medium-chain triglycerides, quite a few data exist to the contrary. In the
present study we investigated the effect of carnitine on ketogenesis in sm
all-for-date neonates fed formulae of equal caloric value and fat content t
hat was predominantly long-chain triglycerides or medium-chain triglyceride
s (46% of total fat), According to our results there was a statistically si
gnificant interaction between carnitine and the chain length of the adminis
tered fat with respect to ketone production. Increased ketogenesis was only
shown by the neonates receiving medium-chain triglycerides and carnitine.
Our results provide further evidence for the involvement of carnitine in me
dium-chain triglyceride metabolism. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.