L-Carnitine Tartrate Supplementation for 5 Weeks Improves Exercise Recovery in Men and Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

L-carnitine tartrate has been shown to improve relatively short-term recovery among athletes. However, there is a lack of research on the longer-term effects in the general population. OBJECTIVE: The primary objectives of this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial were to evaluate the effects of daily L-carnitine tartrate supplementation for 5 weeks on recovery and fatigue. METHOD: In this study, eighty participants, 21- to 65-years-old, were recruited. Participants were split into two groups of forty participants each, a placebo, and a L-carnitine Tartrate group. Seventy-three participants completed a maintenance exercise training program that culminated in a high-volume exercise challenge. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, L-carnitine tartrate supplementation was able to improve perceived recovery and soreness (p = 0.021), and lower serum creatine kinase (p = 0.016). In addition, L-carnitine tartrate supplementation was able to blunt declines in strength and power compared to placebo following an exercise challenge. Two sub-analyses indicated that these results were independent of gender and age. Interestingly, serum superoxide dismutase levels increased significantly among those supplementing with L-carnitine tartrate. CONCLUSIONS: These findings agree with previous observations among healthy adult subjects and demonstrate that L-carnitine tartrate supplementation beyond 35 days is beneficial for improving recovery and reducing fatigue following exercise across gender and age.

L-Carnitine Tartrate Downregulates the ACE2 Receptor and Limits SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been responsible for one of the worst pandemics in modern history. Several prevention and treatment strategies have been designed and evaluated in recent months either through the repurposing of existing treatments or the development of new drugs and vaccines. In this study, we show that L-carnitine tartrate supplementation in humans and rodents led to significant decreases of key host dependency factors, notably angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), and Furin, which are responsible for viral attachment, viral spike S-protein cleavage, and priming for viral fusion and entry. Interestingly, pre-treatment of Calu-3, human lung epithelial cells, with L-carnitine tartrate led to a significant and dose-dependent inhibition of the infection by SARS-CoV-2. Infection inhibition coincided with a significant decrease in ACE2 mRNA expression levels. These data suggest that L-carnitine tartrate should be tested with appropriate trials in humans for the possibility to limit SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Subchronic and reproductive/developmental (screening level) toxicity of complexation products of iron trichloride and sodium tartrate (FemTA).

A complexation/reaction product, termed FemTA, of sodium tartrate [D(-)- and L(+)-tartaric acid and mesotartaric acid], sodium hydroxide, and iron trichloride may have use as an anticaking agent in salt preparations. FemTA is composed of about 4% sodium tartrate, approximately 10% mesotartaric acid, approximately 7% chloride, approximately 4% iron, approximately 7% sodium, approximately 0.3% sodium oxalate, and approximately 65% water. FemTA was tested in a 90-d oral toxicity study, which included a screening level reproductive/developmental toxicity phase, in Harlan Wistar rats. FemTA was administered by oral gavage at 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg body weight/d prior to and during mating, or about 20, 40, or 80 mg of iron/kg body weight/d, such that males received 90/91 d of treatment and females 104 to 109 d. Treatment was associated with inflammatory lesions of the lower GI tract at the mid- and high-dose levels, increased liver and kidney weights, increased serum bile acids and blood urea nitrogen, decreased chloride, and changes to hematological parameters consistent with inflammation. The effects were considered the result of iron overload. There were no effects on reproductive/developmental toxicity parameters. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL), based on gastrointestinal tract effects was 500 mg/kg body weight/d. The NOAEL for reproductive/developmental toxicity was 2000 mg/kg body weight/d, the highest dose tested.

Assessment of dietary exposure to annatto (E160b), nitrites (E249-250), sulphites (E220-228) and tartaric acid (E334) in the French population: the second French total diet study.

The results of the assessment of the dietary exposure to annatto, nitrites, tartaric acid and sulphites within the framework of the second French total diet study (TDS) are reported. These 4 additives were selected from the Bemrah et al. study [Bemrah N, Leblanc JC, Volatier JL. 2008. Assessment of dietary exposure in the French population to 13 selected food colours, preservatives, antioxidants, stabilizers, emulsifiers and sweeteners. Food Addit Contam B. 1(1):2-14] on 13 food additives which identified a possible health risk for annatto, sulphites and nitrites and a lack of data for tartaric acid. Among the composite samples selected for the whole TDS, 524 were analysed for additives (a sample was analysed for a given additive when it was identified as a major contributor for this additive only): 130 for tartaric acid, 135 for nitrites, 59 for annatto and 200 for sulphites. Estimated concentrations (minimum lower bound to maximum upper bound) vary nationally from 0 to 9 mg/kg for annatto, 0 to 420 mg/kg for tartaric acid, 0 to 108 mg/kg for sulphites and 0 to 3.4 mg/kg for nitrites. Based on the analytical results, the dietary exposure was calculated for adults and children, separately, using lower bound and upper bound assumptions. The European ADIs for these 4 additives were not exceeded except for the dietary exposure for sulphites among 2.9% of the adult population, where the major contributors were alcoholic drinks and especially wine under both hypotheses (lower and upper bound).

[Optimization of the matrix formulation of compound Die Da Zhen Tong cataplasm by uniform design].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the matrix formulation of compound Die Da Zhen Tong cataplasm. METHODS: The optimal preparation was selected by U17 (17(16)) uniform design, independent variables were the percentage ratio of the matrix formulation component part in compound Die Da Zhen Tong cataplasm,and the viscosity, continued viscosity and overall desirability used as indexes were dependent variables. RESULTS: The percentage of the matrix formulation component part in compound Die Da Zhen Tong cataplasm was, NP-700: carbomer 980: PVP K-90: dihydroxy aluminum: tartaric: kaolinite: sorbitol: glycerin = 5: 1. 2: 2.5: 0.25: 0.15:4: 12: 5. CONCLUSION: The optimized cataplasm has good viscosity, continued viscosity and high overall desirability.

l-Carnitine l-tartrate supplementation favorably affects biochemical markers of recovery from physical exertion in middle-aged men and women.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Carnipure tartrate (Lonza, Allendale, NJ) supplementation (total dose of 2 g/d of l-carnitine) on markers of performance and recovery from physical exertion in middle-aged men and women. Normally active and healthy men (n = 9, 45.4 +/- 5.3 years old) and women (n = 9, 51.9 +/- 5.0 years old) volunteered to participate in the investigation. Double-blind, placebo, balanced treatment presentation and crossover design were used with 3 weeks and 3 days of supplementation followed by a 1-week washout period before the other counterbalanced treatment was initiated. After 3 weeks of each supplementation protocol, each participant then performed an acute resistance exercise challenge of 4 sets of 15 repetitions of squat/leg press at 50% 1-repetition maximum and continued supplementation over the recovery period that was evaluated. Blood samples were obtained at preexercise and at 0, 15, 30, and 120 minutes postexercise during the acute resistance exercise challenge and during 4 recovery days as well. Two grams of l-carnitine supplementation had positive effects and significantly (P < or = .05) attenuated biochemical markers of purine metabolism (ie, hypoxanthine, xanthine oxidase), free radical formation (malondialdehyde), muscle tissue disruption (myoglobin, creatine kinase), and muscle soreness after physical exertion. However, markers of physical performance (ie, strength, power, get up and go) were not affected by supplementation. These findings support our previous findings of l-carnitine in younger people that such supplementation can reduce chemical damage to tissues after exercise and optimize the processes of muscle tissue repair and remodeling.

Development of chitosan-coated liposomes for sustained delivery of tamarind fruit pulp's extract to the skin.

In this study, chitosan-coated liposomes were developed. To entrap lyophilized tamarind extract containing alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) together with tartaric acid, the reverse phase evaporation method was used to obtain well-formed liposomes loaded with the extract. The highest entrapment efficiency of 68.3 +/- 3.0% into the liposomes was obtained with liposomes consisting of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol in a molar ratio of 2 : 1 after the extrusion process. The average particle size of the prepared liposomes was 158 +/- 26 nm showing a negative zeta potential of -6 mV. For the preparation of the chitosan-coated liposomes, two selected independent parameters were varied: chitosan concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0% w/v and volumes of the chitosan solutions of 1, 2 and 3 mL, to study the effects of such parameters on the entrapment efficiency of the extract-loaded liposomes. Variation in the volumes of the chitosan solution did not affect the entrapment efficiency of the liposomes. However, the entrapment efficiency of the AHAs in the chitosan-coated liposomes significantly increased with increasing chitosan concentrations. The size of the chitosan-coated liposomes was in the range of 200-300 nm with a positive zeta potential in the range of 6-29 mV. An in vitro release study using dialysis technique was performed to evaluate the release profile of the tartaric acid from the chitosan-coated liposomes. The obtained results showed the effect of the chitosan-coated liposomes on the lower release rate and on the amount of tartaric acid in comparison with that of the uncoated liposomes. The study in an in vitro skin cell model indicated that the developed system could enhance the potential of tamarind's AHAs on the stimulation of human keratinocyte proliferation being two-fold higher than the solution of the tamarind extract.

Effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation on muscle oxygenation responses to resistance exercise.

Previous research has shown that L-carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT) supplementation beneficially affects markers of hypoxic stress following resistance exercise. However, the mechanism of this response is unclear. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of LCLT supplementation on muscle tissue oxygenation during and after multiple sets of squat exercise. Nine healthy, previously resistance-trained men (25.2 +/- 6.years, 91.2 +/- 10.2 kg, 180.2 +/- 6.3 cm) ingested 2 g.d of LCLT or an identical placebo for 23 days in a randomized, balanced, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures study design. On day 21, forearm muscle oxygenation was measured during and after an upper arm occlusion protocol using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which measures the balance of oxygen delivery in relation to oxygen consumption. On day 22, subjects performed 5 sets of 15 to 20 repetitions of squat exercise with corresponding measures of thigh muscle oxygenation, via NIRS, and serial blood draws. Compared to the placebo trial, muscle oxygenation was reduced in the LCLT trial during upper arm occlusion and following each set of resistance exercise. Despite reduced oxygenation, plasma malondealdehyde, a marker of membrane damage, was attenuated during the LCLT trial. There were no differences between trials in the vasoactive substance prostacyclin. In conclusion, because oxygen delivery was occluded during the forearm protocol, it is proposed that enhanced oxygen consumption mediated the reduced muscle oxygenation during the LCLT trial. Enhanced oxygen consumption would explain why hypoxic stress was attenuated with LCLT supplementation.

Effects of plant food potassium salts (citrate, galacturonate or tartrate) on acid-base status and digestive fermentations in rats.

Potassium (K) organic anion salts, such as potassium citrate or potassium malate in plant foods, may counteract low-grade metabolic acidosis induced by western diets, but little is known about the effect of other minor plant anions. Effects of K salts (chloride, citrate, galacturonate or tartrate) were thus studied on the mineral balance and digestive fermentations in groups of 6-week-old rats adapted to an acidogenic/5 % inulin diet. In all diet groups, substantial amounts of lactate and succinate were present in the caecum, besides SCFA. SCFA were poorly affected by K salts conditions. The KCl-supplemented diet elicited an accumulation of lactate in the caecum; whereas the lactate caecal pool was low in rats fed the potassium tartrate-supplemented (K TAR) diet. A fraction of tartrate (around 50 %) was recovered in urine of rats fed the K TAR diet. Potassium citrate and potassium galacturonate diets exerted a marked alkalinizing effect on urine pH and promoted a notable citraturia (around 0.5 micro mol/24 h). All the K organic anion salts counteracted Ca and Mg hyperexcretion in urine, especially potassium tartrate as to magnesuria. The present findings indicate that K salts of unabsorbed organic anions exert alkalinizing effects when metabolizable in the large intestine, even if K and finally available anions (likely SCFA) are not simultaneously bioavailable. Whether this observation is also relevant for a fraction of SCFA arising from dietary fibre breakdown (which represents the major organic anions absorbed in the digestive tract in man) deserves further investigation.

Effects of acute versus chronic L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation on metabolic responses to steady state exercise in males and females.

Twelve healthy active subjects (6 male, 6 female) performed 60 min of exercise (60% VO(2max)) on 3 occasions after supplementing with L-Carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT) or placebo. Each subject received a chronic dose, an acute dose, and placebo in a randomized, double-blind crossover design. Dietary intake and exercise were replicated for 2 d prior to each trial. In males there was a significant difference in rate of carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation between placebo and chronic trials (P = 0.02) but not placebo and acute trials (P = 0.70), and total CHO oxidation was greater following chronic supplementation vs. placebo )mean +/- standard deviation) of 93.8 (17.3) g/hr and 78.2 (23.3) g/h, respectively). In females, no difference in rate of, or total, CHO oxidation was observed between trials. No effects on fat oxidation or hematological responses were noted in either gender group. Under these experimental conditions, chronic LCLT supplementation increased CHO oxidation in males during exercise but this was not observed in females.

Effects of four weeks L-carnitine L-tartrate ingestion on substrate utilization during prolonged exercise.

In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover design, 15 trained males undertook exercise trials during two 4 wk supplementation periods, with either 3 g L-Carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT) or 3 g placebo (P) daily. Total carbohydrate and fat oxidation during 90 min steady state cycling were not different between 0 or 4 wk within LCLT or P trials (mean +/- standard deviation: carbohydrate oxidation P0 99 +/- 36, P4W 111 +/- 27, LCLT0 107 +/- 33, LCLT4W 112 +/- 32 g, respectively; fat oxidation P0 99 +/- 28, P4W 92 +/- 21, LCLT0 94 +/- 18, LCLT4W 90 +/- 22 g, respectively). Subsequent 20 km time trial duration was shorter after P (P0 31:29 +/- 3:50, P4W 29:55 +/- 2:58 min:s, P < 0.01), with no significant change over LCLT (LCLT0 31:46 +/- 4:06, LCLT4W 31.19 +/- 4.08 min:s). Four weeks LCLT supplementation had no effect on substrate utilization or endurance performance.

The effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation on hormonal responses to resistance exercise and recovery.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of L-carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT) supplementation using a balanced, cross-over, placebo-controlled research design on the anabolic hormone response (i.e., testosterone [T], insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 [IGFBP-3], and immunofunctional and immunoreactive growth hormone [GHif and GHir]) to acute resistance exercise. Ten healthy, recreationally weight-trained men (mean +/- SD age 23.7 +/- 2.3 years, weight 78.7 +/- 8.5 kg, and height 179.2 +/- 4.6 cm) volunteered and were matched, and after 3 weeks of supplementation (2 g LCLT per day), fasting morning blood samples were obtained on six consecutive days (D1-D6). Subjects performed a squat protocol (5 sets of 15-20 repetitions) on D2. During the squat protocol, blood samples were obtained before exercise and 0, 15, 30, 120, and 180 minutes postexercise. After a 1-week washout period, subjects consumed the other supplement for a 3-week period, and the same experimental protocol was repeated using the exact same procedures. Expected exercise-induced increases in all of the hormones were observed for GHir, GHif, IGFBP-3, and T. Over the recovery period, LCLT reduced the amount of exercise-induced muscle tissue damage, which was assessed via magnetic resonance imaging scans of the thigh. LCLT supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) increased IGFBP-3 concentrations prior to and at 30, 120, and 180 minutes after acute exercise. No other direct effects of LCLT supplementation were observed on the absolute concentrations of the hormones examined, but with more undamaged tissue, a greater number of intact receptors would be available for hormonal interactions. These data support the use of LCLT as a recovery supplement for hypoxic exercise and lend further insights into the hormonal mechanisms that may help to mediate quicker recovery.

The oral anti-volatile sulphur compound effects of zinc salts and their stability constants.

Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) produced in the oral cavity, are a major cause of oral malodour. Zinc (Zn) ions inhibit VSC formation. The objective of this study was to examine whether Zn salts with low stability constants were more suitable as sources of Zn in lozenges than salts with high stability constants. The former provide free Zn ions upon dissolution in water, whereas the latter provide almost no free Zn. Identical lozenges containing Zn-acetate and -gluconate, which have low stability constants, and Zn citrate and amino acid-chelated Zn, which have extremely high stability constants, were tested. All the lozenges contained 0.9% w/w Zn. Ten volunteers sucked the lozenges until dissolved, and oral VSC were measured by gas chromatography. Zn-acetate, -gluconate and -chelate had an impressive anti-VSC effect even 3 h after the lozenges were taken. Zn citrate had significantly less effect than the other lozenges except Zn acetate after 2 and 3 h. It was concluded that the anti-VSC effect was not related to the stability constants of the Zn compounds tested. Alternative ligands. with stronger affinity for Zn than the ligands in the lozenges, must be present in the oral cavity to explain these results. It is suggested that the sulphide ion may serve this function.

Safety measures of L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation in healthy men.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of ingestion of L-CARNIPURE (L-carnitine L-tartrate [LCLT]) on alterations in a complete blood cell profile and in circulating metabolic enzymes. Using a balanced, placebo (P), cross-over design (1 week washout), 10 healthy, active men volunteered and acted as their own control taking either a P or LCLT supplement (3 g.day(-1)) for 3 weeks. Postabsorptive morning blood samples were obtained both before and after 21 days of P and LCLT supplementation. Serum samples were analyzed for clinical chemistries including a complete chemistry panel with markers of liver and renal function along with various minerals and electrolytes. In addition, whole blood was analyzed for a complete blood count with differential. It was determined that there were no statistically significant differences between the LCLT and the placebo conditions for any of the variables examined. The results of this study suggest that LCLT, when used as a dietary supplement, has no adverse effects on metabolic and hematological safety variables in normally healthy men.

Anesthesia for the superior laryngeal nerves and tartaric acid-induced cough.

OBJECTIVE: The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (ibSLN) conveys impulses for the laryngeal cough reflex, which protects the laryngeal aditus and prevents the development of aspiration pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of bilateral anesthesia of the ibSLN on the cough reflex after inhalation of a nebulized chemoirritant solution of tartaric acid. DESIGN: Prospective, clinical investigation. SETTING: Outpatient. PARTICIPANTS: Nine healthy volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: Bilateral injections of 2% lidocaine solution without epinephrine into the paraglottic space containing the ibSLN. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The tidal volume after inhalation of a nebulized 20% tartaric acid solution and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured before and after injection. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed ranks, Mann-Whitney, and sign tests. RESULTS: Complete anesthesia of the ibSLN abolished the laryngeal cough reflex. Postinjection tidal volumes were significantly lower than preinjection volumes (p<.01). The decrease in tidal volumes for six subjects with complete bilateral anesthesia was significantly larger than the decrease in tidal volumes for three subjects with partial anesthesia (p<.05). FVC in both the six subjects with complete bilateral anesthesia and the three subjects with partial anesthesia did not significantly change from preinjection to postinjection. None of the subjects in this study had complications or adverse respiratory sequelae. CONCLUSION: Tartaric acid-induced cough may be useful in assessing the integrity of the laryngeal cough reflex after anesthesia or in patients with neurologic injury who are at risk of developing aspiration pneumonia. It may also be useful in making the decision whether to resume oral feeding.

The action of certain antibiotics and ether on swine enzootic pneumonia.

The susceptibility of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae to the action of three antibiotics and diethyl ether was determined. Infected swine were used in an in vivo sensitivity detection system. The parameter of susceptibility was lesion prophylaxis. In vivo, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae appeared to be resistant to diethyl ether, tylosin tartrate, and erythromycin, but was susceptible to the action of chlortetracycline. Chlortetracycline was effective in preventing the development of lesions when given at levels which would be practical in commercial swine operations.