L-Carnitine

metabolite · endocrine · renal · Oral · IV

L-Carnitine, a metabolite. Shuttles long-chain fatty acyl-CoAs across the inner mitochondrial membrane via CPT1/CACT/CPT2 — the rate-limiting… Oral half-life 17 h.

Shuttles long-chain fatty acyl-CoAs across the inner mitochondrial membrane via CPT1/CACT/CPT2 — the rate-limiting step in β-oxidation. Synthesised endogenously from lysine + methionine with vitamin C, B6, and iron cofactors. Supplementation raises muscle carnitine concentration only slowly (weeks) as uptake is insulin-dependent. ALCAR donates an acetyl group directly to ACh synthesis → cognitive rationale.

Pharmacokinetics

• Oral — t½ 17 h · F 14%
• IV — t½ 17 h · F 100%

Sources: PMID:15591001, PMID:12908852