METABOLISM OF CARNITINE IN COLD-ACCLIMATED RATS

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Abstract
The body pool, half-life, and turnover time of carnitine in rats maintained at 25 °C and in rats exposed to 5 °C for a period of 6 weeks were measured. The level of free and lipid-bound carnitine in striated muscle of these animals was also determined.Results show that the body pool of carnitine is eight times greater in cold-acclimated rats than in rats maintained at 25 °C. On the other hand, the half-life and turnover time of carnitine in cold-acclimated rats is only one-half of that of rats kept at 25 °C.Analysis of striated muscle showed a parallel increase of carnitine in cold-acclimated rats. This increase in carnitine was accompanied by a corresponding increase in acylcarnitine.