Propionyl-L-Carnitine (100 grams)

RPN's Propionyl-L-Carnitine (100 grams)

Propionyl-L-Carnitine (PLCAR) is an esterified carnitine that has clinically shown potential health and exercise benefits such as increasing energy via the transport of fatty acids into muscle cellular mitochondria, stimulating energy production in ischaemic muscles during exercise by increasing citric acid cycle flux and stimulating pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, powerful activity as a scavenger against superoxide radicals, protection against lipid peroxidation, reducing chronic fatigue and supporting male aging symptoms.

Clinical Findings CFS Support:
Propiony-l-carnitine effects were assessed on the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). In an open, randomized study 2 g/d propionyl-L-carnitine was given to CFS patients during 24 weeks. Effects were rated by clinical global impression of change. Secondary endpoints were the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. Clinical global impression of change after treatment showed considerable improvement in 63% in the PLCAR group. PLCAR significantly improved general fatigue (p =.004). Study concluded that PLCAR had beneficial effects on overall muscle fatigue.

Clinical Findings Male Aging Support:
A recent study compared testosterone undecanoate versus propionyl-L-carnitine plus acetyl-L-carnitine and placebo in the treatment of male aging symptoms. The assessed variables were total prostate-specific antigen, prostate volume, peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, resistive index of cavernosal penile arteries, nocturnal penile tumescence, total and free testosterone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, International Index of Erectile Function score, Depression Melancholia Scale score, fatigue scale score, and incidence of side effects. Carnitines (propionyl and acetyl) significantly improved the peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, resistive index, nocturnal penile tumescence (night time erection), International Index of Erectile Function score, Depression Melancholia Scale score, and fatigue scale score. Carnitines proved significantly more active than testosterone in improving nocturnal penile tumescence and International Index of Erectile Function score. Testosterone significantly increased the prostate volume and free and total testosterone levels and significantly lowered serum luteinizing hormone; carnitines did not. No drug significantly modified prostate-specific antigen or prolactin. carnitines proved to be active drugs for the therapy of symptoms associated with male aging.

Clinical Findings Antioxidant and Lipid Peroxidation Support:
A current investigation observed the possible protective effects of a powerful anti-oxidant propionyl L-carnitine (PLCAR) against alcohol-induced gastric lesions in rats. Propionyl L-carnitine prevented alcohol-induced increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), an index of lipid peroxidation. The propionyl carnitine ester also increased the gastric content of reduced glutathione (GSH), besides it increased the enzymatic activities of gastric superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Based on these observations, it was concluded that PLCAR could partly protect gastric mucosa from alcohol-induced acute mucosal injury, and these gastroprotective effects might be probably induced, at least partly, through anti-oxidant mechanisms.

Clinical Findings Exercise and Energy Support:
An animal study indicated that supplementation with PLCAR (in combo with CoEnzyme Q10, Nicotinamide, riboflavin and pantothenic acid) elicits positive functional changes on motor performance of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles. Other studies looking at exercise performance on subjects (mostly with cardiovascular concerns (claudication, peripheral arterial disease – decreased oxygen and blood flow to muscles) and deconditioning, indicated that walking performance, treadmill exercise performance and muscle strength can be increased with 2g/day supplementation of propionyl-L-carnitine.