Growth-promoting and Lipotropic Effect of Carnitine in Rats Fed Diets Limited in Protein and Methionine

Abstract

Addition of 0.2% DL-carnitine to diets low in methionine and containing 6 to 8% casein, or an L-amino acid mixture simulating casein, led to an increase in the growth of rats and to a decrease in the lipid content of their livers. Increasing the methionine content to 0.7% resulted in enhanced growth and an increase in the carnitine content of the liver. It is suggested that in rats carnitine has a methionine-sparing action and may thus be considered a food factor required in marginal diets.