|
The effect of L-carnitine
on carbonic anhydrase level in rats exposed to exhaustive
exercise and hypothermic stress
Elif Şıktar
Atatürk
University, College of Physical Education and Sports,
TR-25240-Erzurum, Turkey. E-mail:
erelceydanur@hotmail.com. Tel:
+90 442 2312234.
Fax: +90
442 2360985.
Accepted
17 April, 2009 |
|
L-Carnitine is a
quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized from
the
amino
acids
lysine and
methionine. It plays an important regulatory role
in the mitochondria and is required for the transport of
fatty
acids from the
cytosol into the
mitochondria during the breakdown of
lipids or fats for the generation of metabolic
energy. The functions of L-carnitine in skeletal muscle are
critical to sustaining normal bioenergetics during exercise.
Carbonic anhydrase (CA; carbonate hydrolyase, EC 4.2.1.1) is
a well-characterized pH regulatory enzyme in most tissues
including erythrocytes and catalyzes reversible hydration of
CO2 to HCO3- and H+.
The only known physiological function of the CA isozymes is
to facilitate the interconversion of CO2 and HCO3-,
Therefore they play key roles in diverse processes, such as
physiological pH control and gas balance, calcification, and
photosynthesis. In the present study, the effect of
L-carnitine on carbonic anhydrase levels in rats exposed to
hypothermic stress was investigated. For this purposes, 24
healthy Spraque Dawley male rats were divided into four
groups: the first group made exhaustive swimming exercises
at the temperature of 18°C; to the second group L-carnitine
was given and exhaustive swimming exercises made at the
temperature of 18°C; to the third group (sedentary group)
only L-carnitine was given; and the last group (sedentary
group) served as control. The results obtained from the
present study demonstrated that the biggest inhibition was
observed in the group that was given L-carnitine and made
exhaustive swimming exercises at the temperature of
18°C. There were differences between groups 1 and 2, 3 and 4
(p<0.05).
Key
words:
L-Carnitine, hypothermic stress, carbonic anhydrase, enzyme,
exercise. |
