Carnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine.[1]
In eukaryotic cells, it is required for the transport of fatty acids from the intermembraneous space in the mitochondria, into the mitochondrial matrix during the breakdown of lipids (fats) for the generation of metabolic energy.[2] It is widely available as a nutritional supplement. Carnitine was originally found as a growth factor for mealworms and labeled vitamin BT,[3] although carnitine is not a proper vitamin.[4] Carnitine exists in two stereoisomers: its biologically active form is L-carnitine, whereas its enantiomer, D-carnitine, is biologically inactive.[2][5]
Starting at $23.30
3-Hydroxy-4-(trimethylazaniumyl)butanoate
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AHFS/Drugs.com | Micromedex Detailed Consumer Information |
Pregnancy category |
US: B (No risk in non-human studies) |
Legal status |
US: OTC
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Routes of administration |
Oral, intravenous |
Bioavailability | < 10% |
Protein binding | None |
Metabolism | slightly |
Excretion | Urine (> 95%) |
CAS Number | 541-15-1 |
ATC code | A16AA01 (L form) |
PubChem | CID: 288 |
DrugBank | DB00583 |
ChemSpider | 282 |
UNII | 0G389FZZ9M |
KEGG | C00318 |
ChEBI | CHEBI:17126 |
ChEMBL | CHEMBL172513 |
Formula | C7H15NO3 |
Molecular mass | 161.199 g/mol |
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InChI[show]
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