L-Carnitine

L-Carnitine is a naturally-occurring amino-acid derivative (a quaternary ammonium compound) synthesised endogenously from lysine and methionine, with dietary intake primarily from red meat. Its biological role is the transport of long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for β-oxidation — a function carried out as the L-carnitine ester of the fatty acid (acyl-carnitine), with the carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) enzyme system catalysing the transfer.

CAS 541-15-1, molecular formula C₇H₁₅NO₃, molecular weight 161.20 g/mol. Wikidata QID Q20735709, PubChem CID 10917, ChEMBL ID CHEMBL1697733.

The carnitine shuttle (CPT I → carnitine acylcarnitine translocase → CPT II) is the mandatory route for long-chain fatty-acid entry into the mitochondrial matrix for β-oxidation. L-carnitine availability is therefore rate-limiting for fatty-acid metabolism under conditions of high fat oxidation. Primary carnitine deficiency (genetic defects in the carnitine transporter OCTN2) produces severe metabolic disease treatable by carnitine supplementation.

Investigated in clinical and preclinical models of primary carnitine deficiency, secondary carnitine depletion (e.g. in valproate-treated patients), heart-failure metabolic dysfunction, and exercise-performance research. NMChem supplies L-carnitine in 216 mg and 600 mg formulations for protocols requiring different research-dose ranges.

Supplied as a research-grade reference standard for laboratory use only. Not a licensed medicinal product in the United Kingdom and not approved by the MHRA for human or veterinary administration. Sale is restricted to researchers, institutions and laboratory professionals; the compound must be retained within research premises. End-user compliance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (where applicable) and local institutional biosafety policy is the responsibility of the buyer.