Carnitine supplementation and ketogenesis by small-for-date neonates on medium- and long-chain fatty acid formulae

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.