Abstract
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 ≤ .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.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 04, 2010
Accepted:
November 11,
2009
Received:
August 9,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
