• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.89-96
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• 2004

This study is to investigate the effect of dietary mixed protein and L-carnitine supplementation on lipid metabolism in the rats fed high fat diet. Six experimental groups were organized and each group had eight Sprague-Dawley male white rats with the initial weight of around 180g. The six experimental groups were CO(supplemented with casein), CC(supplementedwith casein and cartinine), ISO(supplemented with isolated soy protein), ISC(supplemented with isolated soy protein and cartinine), CIM(supplemented with casein and isolated soy protein), and CIC(supplemented with casein, isolated soy protein and cartinine). Each group was supplemented with the experimental diet for four weeks, and carnitine contained 3efo of the diet. The results were as follows; 1. There was no significant difference in food intake among the experimental groups. The weight increased more significantly in the group supplemented with the mixed protein than in the group supplemented with casein(p<0.05).2. There was weight reduction effect by the supplementation of carnitine(p<0.05), however no weight reduction effect by the supplementation of carnitine was observed in the group supplemented with the mixed protein and isolated soy protein. 3. Food efficiency was lower in the group supplemented with the mixed protein than in the group supplemented with casein (p<0.05), however it was similar in the group supplemented with isolated soy protein.4. Serum total lipid and se겨m total cholesterol were lower in the group supplemented with mixed protein than in the group supplemented with casein(p<0.05). 5. There was no significant difference of serum triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol among the experimental groups. 6. Liver triglyceride was the highest in the group supplemented with mixed protein (p<0.05), and there was no significant difference of liver total lipid and total cholesterol among the experimental groups. 7. In the groups supplemented with mixed protein, the level of liver TBARS showed the lowest when casein was supplemented(p<0.05), and there was no significant difference of GSH-Px activities among the experimental groups. In summary, when mixed protein was supplemented to the rats weight gain and food efficiency were similar with those in the group supplemented with isolated soy protein, however they were lower than those in the group supplemented with casein. The effect of carnitine on weight was not observed in the group supplemented with mixed protein and isolated soy protein, however it was observed in the group supplemented with casein. Serum Total lipid and total cholesterol were lower than those in the group supplemented with casein. Liver total triglyceride was high in the group supplemented with mixed protein, and the antioxidant effect was observed in the group supplemented with mixed protein.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.217-223
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• 2006

Fifty castrated crossbred ($Landrace{\times}Yorkshire$) pigs, weighing an average of $60.6{\pm}3.1kg$ were allotted to one of five treatments in a randomized block design to examine the effects of dietary inclusion of 0.1% L-carnitine (50 ppm carnitine), 0.1% selenium-enriched yeast (0.3 ppm selenium), 0.1% Jujube fruit or 0.1% Hwangto (Red clay) on pig performance and carcass quality. All diets were based on corn, wheat, soybean meal and wheat bran and were formulated to supply 13.8 MJ DE/kg. Dietary supplementation did not influence daily gain (p = 0.57), feed intake (p = 0.52), or feed conversion (p = 0.32). Digestibility of dry matter (p = 0.60), organic matter (p = 0.74), crude protein (p = 0.76), crude fibre (p = 0.70) and energy (p = 0.75) were also unaffected by inclusion of any of the additives. Tissue samples taken from the longissimus muscle showed that the levels of carnitine (p = 0.0001) and selenium (p = 0.0001) were significantly higher with dietary inclusion of carnitine or selenium-enriched yeast. Dietary treatment did not affect dressing percentage (p = 0.33), carcass lean yield (p = 0.99) or first, $10^{th}$ and last rib midline backfat depth (p = 0.45, 0.82 and 0.47, respectively). Dietary treatment also did not affect the percentages of tenderloin (p = 0.37), bacon (p = 0.36), fat and bone (p = 0.56), picnic shoulder (p = 0.25), skirt (p = 0.80), fresh ham (p = 0.31) or ribs (p = 0.79). However, pigs fed the diet containing Jujube fruit had a higher percentage of Boston butt than pigs fed the carnitine or selenium supplemented diets (p = 0.01). Pigs fed added Hwangto had a higher (p = 0.04) percentage of loin compared with pigs fed supplementary selenium or Jujube fruit. Loin muscle from pigs fed carnitine had a significantly lower Hunter colour value for L (whiteness, p = 0.004) and a higher value for $a^*$ (redness; p = 0.069). The overall results indicate that supplementation with L-carnitine and selenium-enriched yeast can produce pork containing higher levels of carnitine and selenium, which could provide health benefits for consumers of pork without detrimental effects on pig performance.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investgate combined effects of L-carnitine supplementation and exercise on body composition, serum lipids and adiponectin in obese high school female students. Eighteen female students with 35% fat in body weight participated in the study. Students were randomly divided into the following three groups; exercise and L-carnitine supplementation group (ELG: n=5), exercise group (EG: n=6) and control group (CG: n=7), each with seven students. They underwent 10 weeks of exercise (50 min/day, 5 times/wk, 10 wk, RPE 11~16). ELG was given L-carnitine (1 g/day), EG and CG were given placebos. Before and after this period, body composition, serum lipids and adiponectin in plasma were measured. The results of the study in the three groups were as follows: Fat mass and %BF were significantly decreased in ELG. On the other hand, free fat mass was significantly increased in ELG, however, other groups showed no changes. Total cholesterol was significantly increased in the control group. High density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were not different in the three groups. Triglyceride was significantly decreased in ELG. Adiponectin was significantly increased in ELG. This study demonstrated that exercise and carnitine supplementation have a positive effect on fat mass, %BF, free fat mass and adiponetin. Thus, we can improve proper dietary and training programs for obese students.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.799-805
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• 1999

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of L-carnitine with different levels of lysine on performance of pigs weaned at 21 days of age. A total of 120 pigs were allotted into a $3{\times}2$ factorial design with three different levels of lysine (1.40%, 1,60% and 1.80%) and two levels of L-carnitine (0 and 1,000 ppm). Each treatment had 4 replications with 5 pigs per replicate. Pigs of $22{\pm}1$ days (5.9 kg of body weight) were grouped into a completely randomized block design. Treatments were 1) 1.4-Crt; 1.40% of lysine with 1,000 ppm of L-carnitine, 2) 1.4-N; 1.40% of lysine without L-carnitine, 3) 1.6-Crt; 1.60% of lysine with 1,000 ppm of L-carnitine, 4) 1.6-N; 1.60% of lysine without L-carnitine, 5) 1.8-Crt; 1.80% of lysine with 1,000 ppm of L-carnitine and 6) 1.8-N; 1.80% of lysine without L-carnitine. Growth performance was optimized in pigs fed 1.6% lysine regardless of carnitine addition. For the first 7 days of the experimental period, the best ADG and F/G were found in pigs within the 1.6-Crt group. Carnitine significantly improved (p<0.05) ADG of pigs when the lysine level in the diet was 1.6%. Only in the third week carnitine had a significant influence on growth performance of pigs. A lysine-sparing effect of L-carnitine was not detected in this study. The 1.6-Crt group showed the best proximate nutrient digestibility, and the crude fat and gross energy digestibility were higher when the L-carnitine was added in the diet. Lysine level significantly affected the digestibilities of DM (p<0.001), GE (p<0.001), CP (p<0.01) and C.fat (p<0.05). Carnitine also significantly improved digestibility of nutrients. Lysine level as well as carnitine level affected the amino acids digestibility, however, in 1.8% lysine diet carnitine did not influence on amino acids digestibility. Plasma carnitine content was significant higher (p<0.05) in pigs fed L-carnitine. This indicates the increased biological availability of carnitine within the body. L-carnitine supplementation tended to improve feed utilization during the third week (p<0.10) and during the entire period (p=0.10). Lysine level significantly affected feed utilization of pigs during the third week and entire period (p<0.05). As pigs grew, the lysine requirement was reduced.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1763-1769
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of L-carnitine on the pig semen characteristics during storage. Methods: Spermatozoa samples were examined for spermatozoa quality and then randomly divided into 5 groups: 0 (control), 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mM L-carnitine. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and antioxidant parameters (total reactive oxygen species, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde) were evaluated after 0, 3, 5, and 10 day cooled-storage at 17℃. Moreover, ATP content, mitochondria activity as well as sperm-binding and in vitro fertilizing ability of preserved boar sperm were also investigated. Results: Supplementation with 50 mM L-carnitine could effectively maintain boar sperm quality parameters such as sperm motility and membrane integrity. Besides, we found that L-carnitine had positive effects on boar sperm quality mainly through improving antioxidant capacities and enhancing ATP content and mitochondria activity. Interestingly, by assessing the effect of L-carnitine on sperm fertility and developmental potential, we discovered that the extender containing L-carnitine could improve sperm quality and increase the number of sperms bounding to zona pellucida, without improving in vitro fertility and development potential. Conclusion: These findings suggested that the proper addition of L-carnitine to the semen extender improved boar sperm quality during liquid storage at 17℃.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.791-796
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• 2014

Cryopreservation of epididymal sperm is an effective technique to preserve genetic materials of domestic cats and wild felids when they unexpectedly die. However, this technique inevitably causes detrimental changes of cryopreserved-thawed spermatozoa, for example, by physical damage and excessive oxidative stress. L-carnitine is an antioxidant that has been used to improve sperm motility in humans and domestic animals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine on cat epididymal sperm quality following cryopreservation and thawing. After routine castration, cauda epididymides were collected from 60 cat testes. The epididymal spermatozoa from 3 cauda epididymides were pooled as 1 replicate. Spermatozoa samples (16 replicates) were examined for spermatozoa quality and then randomly divided into 4 groups: 0 mM L-carnitine (control), 12.5 mM, 25 mM and 50 mM L-carnitine. The sperm aliquots were then equilibrated and conventionally frozen. After thawing, sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity and acrosome integrity were evaluated. The 25 mM L-carnitine significantly improved sperm motility compared with a control group (p<0.05), although this was not significantly different among other concentrations. In conclusion, supplementation of 25 mM L-carnitine in freezing extender improves cauda epididymal spermatozoa motility. The effects of L-carnitine on the levels of oxidative stress during freezing and thawing remains to be examined.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2009

This study was conducted to determine if supplementation with a compound composed of caffeine (50 mg), capsaicin (75 mg), sesamine (30 mg), L-carnitine (300 mg), banaba (50 mg) and lotus (10 mg) enhanced human autonomic nervous activities (ANS) associated with thermogenic sympathetic activity and fat utilization. Ten healthy college males (21.2$\pm$1.0 yr) volunteered for this experiment. Autonomic nervous activities associated with energy metabolism were examined at 30 min intervals for a total of 120-min while at rest and every 5-min during exercise at 50% of the ventilation threshold before and after intake of the compound or placebo with 100 ml of water for 10 days. In addition, heart rate variability power spectral analysis was used to assess human autonomic nervous activities. The results indicated that there were no significant differences in heart rate during rest and exercise among trials. Furthermore, the autonomic nervous activity tended to increase after 10-days of consumption of the test compounds during the experimental period, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. However, before and after the compound test trial there was a significantly higher respiratory gas exchange ratio (rest 0: 0.83$\pm$0.01 vs. rest 3: 0.89$\pm$0.02, p<0.05), carbohydrate oxidation (CHO) rate (rest 0: 44.57$\pm$5.83 vs. rest 2: 63.86$\pm$5.91%, p<0.05) and a lower fat oxidation rate (rest 0: 55.43$\pm$5.83 vs. rest 2: 36.14$\pm$5.91%, p<0.05. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that the compound composed of caffeine, capsaicin, sesamine, L-carnitine, banaba and lotus components that was evaluated in this study did not induce a significant increase in human autonomic nervous activities or lipolysis, even though the individual components have been reported to induce increased fat oxidation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.483-490
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• 2003

Chitosan, hydroxycitrate and L-carnitine have been known to be antiobesity components. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of chitosan, hydroxycitrate and L-carnitine mixture as a potential antiobesity supplement in overweight women. Pre-menopausal healthy females who were overweight (percent ideal body weight > 110) were included in this study. Forty-nine subjects randomly received a placebo (n = 25) or antiobesity-supplement (n = 24), which was a mixture of chitosan, hydroxycitrate, and L-carnitine. Before and after the eight-week experimental period, anthropometric parameters, blood components and computerized tomography were measured. At baseline, the two groups were well matched in terms of age, body mass index and lipid profile. After the eight weeks of potential antiobesity supplementation, the subjects' body fat percent had decreased significantly (p < 0.001) by 5.6% (39.1 $\pm$ 1 vs 36.9 $\pm$ 1%) while lean body mass increased (p < 0.01). Vsceral fat area at the L4 vertebra decreased significantly (p < 0.01) by 8.6% in the supplemented group and the total fat area at the L4 vertebra showed a tendency to decrease (p = 0.051) by 2.4%. Also, in the group given the antiobesity-supplement rather than the placebo, the fasting triglyceride level decreased significantly (p < 0.05) by 10.0%. In addition, serum total cholesterol levels in the antiobesity-supplement group showed a tendency to decrease (p=0.159) by 2.7% (194 $\pm$ 6 vs 189 $\pm$ 6 mg/dl). No side effects were found in either group during the intervention. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that taking a mixture of chitosan, hydroxycitrate, and L-carnitine as a potential antiobesity supplement for eight weeks produced advantageous changes in the weight and visceral fat accumulation of overweight women without any side effects. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 483~490, 2003)

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.179-189
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• 2006

Objective: We investigated the efficacy of a 12-week supplementation of soy isoflavone with L-carnitine on the development of obesity in high fat-induced obese C57BL/6J mice, which are known as a good model of diet-induced obesity. Methods: We measured body weights, adipose tissue mass, serum/liver lipid profiles and fat cell size/number in C57BL/6J mice fed diets containing either low fat (4%) or high fat (35%), or high fat supplemented with soy isoflavone powder containing 10% isoflavone and L-camitine for 12 weeks. Results: Body weight gain, abdominal adipose tissue and liver weight were lower by 31% 78% and 31.4% respectively, in mice on high fat diet containing soy isoflavone+L-carnitine (SC mixture) compared with high fat diet group. Also, SC mixture improved serum lipid profiles such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and liver lipid profiles such as total lipids and TG. As subsequent results, this SC mixture prevented high-fat diet from accumulating TG in the liver. The size of fat cell was also significantly decreased in SC mixture fed mice. At the end point of this experiment, our results showed that feeding with soy isoflavone for 12 weeks finally increased camitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT 1) activity through elevating the level of CPT1 expression. Conclusions: This study suggests that long-tenn supplementation with dietary soy isoflavone and L-carnitine is more synergistically beneficial for the suppression of high-fat diet induced obesity by inhibiting liver TG accumulation and the gain in abdominal adipose tissue weight than that with soy isoflavone. The antiobesity effects of SC mixture might be attributed, at least in part, to the induction of fatty acid catabolism by soy isoflavone, genistein.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.227-233
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• 2008

The aim of the present study was to assess the anti-obesity effects of grape seed extract (GSE) supplement in C57BL/6J mice. Thirty mice were divided into three groups; normal diet control group (ND), high fat diet control group (HD) and high fat diet plus grape seed extract supplemented group (HD+GSE). Results were as follows: 1. GSE supplement reduced the weight gain in mice fed high fat diets; epididymal and back fat weights, were lower compared to non-supplemented HD group. 2. Blood lipid concentrations were lower in the HD+GSE group than in the HD group. Serum HDL-C concentrations were higher in the HD+GSE group compared with the other groups. 3. The concentrations of acid-insoluble acylcarnitines, (AIAC) in serum and liver were higher in the HD+GSE group than in the HD group. 4. GSE supplementation increased mRNA levels of lipolytic genes such as carnitine palmitoyltransferase-l (CPT-1) and decreased mRNA levels of lipogenic genes such as acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC). These findings suggest that grape seed extract supplements in high fat diet might normalize body weight, epididymal and back fat weights, lipid concentrations, and carnitine levels through controlling lipid metabolism.