Abstract

L- carnitine is a co-factor of the enzymatic system involved in long chain fatty acid transport across the mitochondrial membrane. L-carnitine also modulates the metabolism of coenzyme-A (CoA). The functions of L-carnitine in skeletal muscle are critical to sustaining normal bioenergetics during exercise. Therefore, it is not surprising that the use of supplementary carnitine to improve physical performance has become widespread in recent years. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are widespread enzymes in all organisms, catalyzing CO₂ hydration to bicarbonate and protons. It is known that CA inhibition alters skeletal muscle contractile properties, utilization of metabolic substrates, and accumulation of metabolic intermediates and end products, especially during exercise. In this study, changes in carbonic anhydrase (CA) levels due to exercise and hyperthermic stress in rats were investigated. For this purposes, 24 healthy Spraque Dawley male rats were divided into four groups: Exercise group 1 (at 38°C), Exercise group 2 (control group at 28°C), L-carnitine + Exercise group 3 (at 38°C), L-carnitine + Exercise group 4 (L-carnitine + control group at 28°C). The results of this study indicated that CA inhibition significantly decreased at L-carnitine + Exercise group 4 (at 28°C) (P<0,01) and Exercise group 1 (at 38°C) (P<0.005). According to L-carnitine + Exercise group 3 (at 38°C).  It may be considered that L-carnitine does not have a protective role in exercise done under hyperthermic conditions.

Key words: L-carnitine, hyperthermic stress, carbonic anhydrase, enzyme, exercise.