Choline-induced carnitine conservation by increased fractional tubular reabsorption of carnitine in guinea pigs

James W. Daily, Eun Sook Park, Nobuko Hongu, Dileep S. Sachan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Urinary carnitine excretion is decreased by supplemental choline in humans and guinea pigs. In guinea pigs, the decreased excretion is associated with increased carnitine concentrations in skeletal muscle and decreased body fat. This study evaluated the effect of choline supplementation at various levels (0, 2, 5, or 10 g choline per kg diet) on feed intake, intestinal carnitine retention, whole body carnitine, and renal reabsorption of carnitine in guinea pigs. Choline supplemented animals excreted < half the carnitine as unsupplemented after day 2 of the study, due to an increase in fractional tubular reabsorption of carnitine. However, there was no significant effect of different doses of choline on urinary carnitine excretion. Carnitine concentrations were higher in gut, muscle, and carcasses in the choline supplemented animals. There was no difference in carnitine concentrations of feces or gut contents. This study demonstrated that choline preserves body carnitine stores through increased renal reabsorption.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1219-1230
Number of pages12
JournalNutrition Research
Volume22
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Carnitine
  • Choline
  • Guinea pig
  • Renal reabsorption

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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