Biomaterial Database

Free fatty acid oxidation and carnitine levels in diphtheritic guinea pig myocardium. 1972

D R Challoner, and H G Prols

Previous studies from this laboratory and by Wittels and Bressler have suggested that myocardial carnitine depletion and an accompanying decrease in fatty acid oxidation may contribute to the myocardial disease associated with diphtheria. In addition, administration of carnitine was found to prolong survival of diphtheritic guinea pigs and improve ventricular function in diphtheritic dogs. The present studies document the hypothesis that the defect in myocardial carnitine, directly assayed, could be repleted in diphtheritic guinea pigs to whom carnitine was administered intraperitoneally. The decreased fatty acid oxidation previously reported only for homogenates was confirmed in an isolated perfused diphtheritic guinea pig heart preparation. The addition of L-carnitine to this perfusate augmented fatty acid oxidation to normal levels. Taken together, these and previous studies would support a pathogenetic role for carnitine depletion in diphtheritic myocarditis and suggest the possibility of experimental therapy with L-carnitine.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009205	Myocarditis	Inflammatory processes of the muscular walls of the heart (MYOCARDIUM) which result in injury to the cardiac muscle cells (MYOCYTES, CARDIAC). Manifestations range from subclinical to sudden death (DEATH, SUDDEN). Myocarditis in association with cardiac dysfunction is classified as inflammatory CARDIOMYOPATHY usually caused by INFECTION, autoimmune diseases, or responses to toxic substances. Myocarditis is also a common cause of DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY and other cardiomyopathies.	Carditis,Myocarditides
D009206	Myocardium	The muscle tissue of the HEART. It is composed of striated, involuntary muscle cells (MYOCYTES, CARDIAC) connected to form the contractile pump to generate blood flow.	Muscle, Cardiac,Muscle, Heart,Cardiac Muscle,Myocardia,Cardiac Muscles,Heart Muscle,Heart Muscles,Muscles, Cardiac,Muscles, Heart
D010084	Oxidation-Reduction	A chemical reaction in which an electron is transferred from one molecule to another. The electron-donating molecule is the reducing agent or reductant; the electron-accepting molecule is the oxidizing agent or oxidant. Reducing and oxidizing agents function as conjugate reductant-oxidant pairs or redox pairs (Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry, 1982, p471).	Redox,Oxidation Reduction
D010169	Palmitic Acids	A group of 16-carbon fatty acids that contain no double bonds.	Acids, Palmitic
D002247	Carbon Isotopes	Stable carbon atoms that have the same atomic number as the element carbon but differ in atomic weight. C-13 is a stable carbon isotope.	Carbon Isotope,Isotope, Carbon,Isotopes, Carbon
D002331	Carnitine	A constituent of STRIATED MUSCLE and LIVER. It is an amino acid derivative and an essential cofactor for fatty acid metabolism.	Bicarnesine,L-Carnitine,Levocarnitine,Vitamin BT,L Carnitine
D004165	Diphtheria	A localized infection of mucous membranes or skin caused by toxigenic strains of CORYNEBACTERIUM DIPHTHERIAE. It is characterized by the presence of a pseudomembrane at the site of infection. DIPHTHERIA TOXIN, produced by C. diphtheriae, can cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic toxic effects.	Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infection,Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infections,Infection, Corynebacterium diphtheriae
D005230	Fatty Acids, Nonesterified	FATTY ACIDS found in the plasma that are complexed with SERUM ALBUMIN for transport. These fatty acids are not in glycerol ester form.	Fatty Acids, Free,Free Fatty Acid,Free Fatty Acids,NEFA,Acid, Free Fatty,Acids, Free Fatty,Acids, Nonesterified Fatty,Fatty Acid, Free,Nonesterified Fatty Acids
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia