Levocarnitine

A16AA01(WHO) (l-form) US:OTC 3-hydroxy-4-(trimethylazaniumyl)butanoate 406-76-8YR-(-)-:541-15-1Y 288 DB00583N 282Y S7UI8SM58AR-(-)-:0G389FZZ9MY C00318Y CHEBI:17126Y ChEMBL172513Y DTXSID3022744 Interactive image C[N+](C)(C)CC(CC(=O)[O-])O InChI=1S/C7H15NO3/c1-8(2,3)5-6(9)4-7(10)11/h6,9H,4-5H2,1-3H3YKey:PHIQHXFUZVPYII-UHFFFAOYSA-NY Carnitineis aquaternary ammonium compoundinvolved inmetabolismin most mammals, plants, and some bacteria.In support of energy metabolism, carnitine transportslong-chain fatty acidsfrom the cytosol intomitochondriato beoxidizedfor free energy pr‍‍‍‍‍‍​​​‍​​​​​​oduction, and also participates in removing products of metabolism from cells.Given its key metabolic roles, carnitine is concentrated in tissues likeskeletalandcardiac musclethat metabolize fatty acids as an energy source.Generally individuals, including strictvegetarians, synthesize enough L-carnitinein vivo. Carnitine exists as one of twostereoisomers: the twoenantiomersd-carnitine (S-(+)-) andl-carnitine (R-(−)-).Both are biologically active, but onlyl-carnitine naturally occurs in animals, andd-carnitine is toxic as it inhibits the activity of thel-form.At room temperature, pure carnitine is a whiteish powder, and a water-solublezwitterionwith relatively low toxicity. Derived from amino acids,carnitine was firstextractedfrom meat extracts in 1905, leading to its name from Latin, "caro/carnis" or flesh. Some individuals withgeneticor medical disorders (such as preterm infants) cannot make enough carnitine, requiring dietary supplementation.Despite common carnitine supplement consumption amongathletesfor improved exercise performance or recovery, there is insufficienthigh-quality clinical evidenceto indicate it provides any benefit.