Effect of oral L-carnitine on its concentration in the plasma of yearling Thoroughbred horses.

The researchers examined the effects of orally administered L-carnitine on its concentration in the plasma of yearling Thoroughbred horses. They found that an oral dose of 10g of L-carnitine generally led to increased plasma concentrations, however, this was not consistent across all tested horses and there was no noticeable trend in the concentration of acetylcarnitine in the studied horses.

Research Objective and Methodology

• The researchers aimed to investigate the influence of oral L-carnitine on its concentration in the plasma of yearling Thoroughbred horses.
• A total of seven horses were administered a 10g oral dose of L-carnitine and their plasma concentrations of L-carnitine was measured at various intervals post-administration.

Research Findings

• In five of the seven horses, an increase in both free and total carnitine in plasma was observed, peaking two to four hours after administration of L-carnitine.
• The average peak increase in total carnitine concentration in these five horses was 15.1 +/- 6.9 mumol/litre, up from a pre-dose average of 18.8 +/- 3.4 mumol/litre.
• The mean peak increase in free carnitine concentration in these horses was 13.5 +/- 3.1 mumol/litre, from a pre-dose mean concentration of 12.5 +/- 2.2 mumol/litre.
• In two horses, there was no observed increase in carnitine concentration in the plasma post-administration.

Comparison with Previous Studies

• The research findings were similar to those recorded in a previous study that involved adult Thoroughbred horses given the same dosage of L-carnitine.

Observations on Acetylcarnitine Concentration

• No consistent pattern of change was observed in the concentration of acetylcarnitine among the seven horses.