Concentrations of total, free, and esterified carnitine were determined in plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle from cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis and compared with values from healthy cats. The mean concentrations of plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle total carnitine; plasma and skeletal muscle free carnitine; and plasma and liver esterified carnitine were greater (P < 0.05) in cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis than in control cats. The mean for the ratio of free/total carnitine in plasma and liver was lower (P < 0.05) in cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis than in control cats. These data suggest that carnitine deficiency does not contribute to the pathogenesis of feline idiopathic hepatic lipidosis.

peer reviewed | OBJECTIVE: To assess morphologic and metabolic abnormalities in dogs with early left ventricular dysfunction (ELVD) induced by rapid right ventricular pacing (RRVP). ANIMALS: 7 Beagles. PROCEDURE: Plasma carnitine concentrations were measured before and after development of ELVD induced by RRVP. At the same times, transvenous endomyocardial biopsy was performed, and specimens were submitted for determination of myocardial carnitine concentrations and histologic, morphometric, and ultrastructural examination. RESULTS: In 4 dogs in which baseline plasma total carnitine concentration was normal, RRVP induced a decrease in myocardial total and free carnitine concentrations and an increase in myocardial esterified carnitine concentration. In 3 dogs in which baseline plasma total carnitine concentration was low, plasma and myocardial carnitine concentrations were unchanged after pacing. Structural changes associated with pacing included perinuclear vacuolization in 3 dogs. Morphometric analyses indicated there was a decrease in myofiber cross-sectional diameter and area following pacing. Electron microscopy revealed changes in myofibrils and mitochondria following pacing. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that moderate to severe alterations in myocyte cytoarchitecture are present in dogs with ELVD induced by RRVP and that in dogs with normal plasma carnitine concentrations, myocardial carnitine deficiency may be a biochemical marker of ELVD. Results also indicated that transvenous endomyocardial biopsy can be used to evaluate biochemical and structural myocardial changes in dogs with cardiac disease.

Objective: To investigate the influence of dietary supplementation with l-carnitine on metabolic rate, fatty acid oxidation, weight loss, and lean body mass (LBM) in overweight cats undergoing rapid weight reduction. Animals: 32 healthy adult neutered colony-housed cats. Procedures: Cats fattened through unrestricted ingestion of an energy-dense diet for 6 months were randomly assigned to 4 groups and fed a weight reduction diet supplemented with 0 (control), 50, 100, or 150 μg of carnitine/g of diet (unrestricted for 1 month, then restricted). Measurements included resting energy expenditure, respiratory quotient, daily energy expenditure, LBM, and fatty acid oxidation. Following weight loss, cats were allowed unrestricted feeding of the energy-dense diet to investigate weight gain after test diet cessation. Results: Median weekly weight loss in all groups was ≥ 1.3%, with no difference among groups in overall or cumulative percentage weight loss. During restricted feeding, the resting energy expenditure-to-LBM ratio was significantly higher in cats that received l-carnitine than in those that received the control diet. Respiratory quotient was significantly lower in each cat that received l-carnitine on day 42, compared with the value before the diet began, and in all cats that received l-carnitine, compared with the control group throughout restricted feeding. A significant increase in palmitate flux rate in cats fed the diet with 150 μg of carnitine/g relative to the flux rate in the control group on day 42 corresponded to significantly increased stoichiometric fat oxidation in the l-carnitine diet group (> 62% vs 14% for the control group). Weight gain (as high as 28%) was evident within 35 days after unrestricted feeding was reintroduced. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Dietary l-carnitine supplementation appeared to have a metabolic effect in overweight cats undergoing rapid weight loss that facilitated fatty acid oxidation.

Concentrations of total, free, and esterified carnitine were determined in plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle from cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis and compared with values from healthy cats. The mean concentrations of plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle total carnitine; plasma and skeletal muscle free carnitine; and plasma and liver esterified carnitine were greater (P < 0.05) in cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis than in control cats. The mean for the ratio of free/total carnitine in plasma and liver was lower (P < 0.05) in cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis than in control cats. These data suggest that carnitine deficiency does not contribute to the pathogenesis of feline idiopathic hepatic lipidosis.

Determination of influence of combined feed with carnitine and 3% lipids on digestibility of nutrients in ration of fattening stores was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus by an example of 8 castrated male pigs of Belarusian meaty breed with body weight of 60-65 kg. Piglets were divided into 2 groups in accordance with analogue pair principle. Selected animals were kept in single cages specially equipped for fecal and urina gathering. Both groups of animals were given the same combined feed SK-26 which included 3% lipids. Experimental piglets were fed with combined feed with carnitine in dose of 50 g/t of mixed fodder. The mixed fodder contained the following ingredients: wheat; triticale; grain mixture; sunflower oil cakes; liprot SG; tricalcium phosphate; calcium carbonate; salt; premix KS-4; vegetable oil. Research results showed that enriching of combined feed carnitine rendered positive influence on digestibility and absorbency of nutrients. It made it possible to increase the digestibility of dry matter on 2,1%, organic matter on 2,0%, crude protein on 3,1%, crude fat on 7,4%, crude fiber on 8,6%, free-nitrogen extract on 1,1%, as well as to increase nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus absorbency. Quantity of saved nitrogen in the experimental group (with carnitine additive) was on 21,1% than in control one. Quantity of saved nitrogen and absorbed with feed was on 9,8% and 5,6% respectively higher than the same indexes for the control group; calcium - on 15,5% and 2,6%, phosphorus - on 23,3% and 3,7%, respectively

In animal feeding technology much attention is given to application of biologically active substances for metabolism stimulation. One of such biologically active substances is carnitine, an anabolic preparation of nonhormonal nature, cofactor in system of oxidation of fat acids. It participates in processes of acetylation at oxidation of fat acids together with acyl-CoA and other enzymes, promotes carrying over of cytoplasmatic Coa-derivatives of fat acids inside mitochondrions. It increases absorption speed from a digestive path of nutrients of forage, raises use of fat acids for the power purposes. Under its influence synthesis of triglycerides decreases and synthesis of phospho-lipids increases. Carnitine also protects cells against toxic accumulation of components of acyl-CoA of endogenic or exogenous origins, such as acylic groups of carnitine ethers which then can pass into liver for dissimilation or in kidneys for allocation in urine. Carnitine synthesis satisfies body requirements, but in the conditions of a hightened stress, high productivity, as well as in the conditions of lowered carnitine content in forage or in the conditions of the increased content of fats it should be applied as additive to diet. As a result of the realized study it was established, that the optimal quantity of carnitine application in diets for stores husbandry and fattening is dose of 50 g/t of mixed fodders. Application of carnitine in an optimum dose renders the positive impact on animal organism, promotes the increasing average daily weight gain on 5,1% (Р less than 0,001). Application of carnitine in diets of swine stores increases a slaughter yield on 2,1%, meat content per carcass - on 2,3%, a loin eye area - on 8,8%. Carnitine application in a dose 50 g/t of mixed fodders makes it possible to receive the additional profit at a rate of 4,57 USD per 1 head