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American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 37, 93-98, Copyright © 1983 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc
ORIGINAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS |
L Khan-Siddiqui and MS Bamji
Administration of 5 g L-lysine orally to normal adults produced a significant increase in plasma carnitine levels within 6 h followed by a further rise by 48 h. Levels remained high up to 72 h. Similar changes in plasma carnitine were not observed if blood was sampled without lysine load or after administering a load of other amino acids such as tryptophan or threonine. Maximum excretion of carnitine per g creatinine was observed in 24 to 48 h collection after lysine load. Two subjects showed an early peak in 3-h and 6-h collections, respectively. Undernourished subjects failed to demonstrate similar change. After rehabilitation the undernourished subjects behaved as did the well- nourished subjects. These observations suggest that there may be a rapid in vivo conversion of orally administered lysine to carnitine in humans. Conversion of lysine to carnitine may be impaired in malnutrition.
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