Acetyl-L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-carnitine has been studied in 3 papers since 2000: 2 trials in people, 1 in cells. The newest paper, Jan 16, 2022: “Acetyl l-carnitine protects adipose-derived stem cells against serum-starvation: regulation on the network composed of reactive oxygen species, autophagy, apoptosis and senescence”.
“HOMA-IR also decreased in both groups (both p < 0.001).”
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 3 countries
- 1 finding against
- Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China and 1 more
- Human trial2
- Cells1
What did studies of Acetyl-L-carnitine find?
10Studies of Acetyl-L-carnitine measured 10 outcomes; the most studied are cellular senescence (1 study), autophagy (1) and apoptosis (1).
Cellular senescence
upin cells1downin cells1
1 study
Cellular senescence
upin cells1downin cells1
Acetyl-L-carnitine increases cellular senescence in cells.
“ALC with high concentration (10 mM) markedly aggravated cell apoptosis and senescence”
Cellsin serum-starved cells10 mM
Cytotechnology
Acetyl-L-carnitine decreases cellular senescence in cells.
“Treating with 1 mM ALC improved proliferation and alleviated senescence of starved cells”
Cellsin serum-starved cells1 mM
Cytotechnology
Autophagy
upin cells1
1 study
Autophagy
upin cells1
Acetyl-L-carnitine increases autophagy in cells.
“In addition, ALC inhibited apoptosis but increased starvation-induced autophagy”
Cellsin serum-starved cells
Cytotechnology
Apoptosis
downin cells1
1 study
Apoptosis
downin cells1
Acetyl-L-carnitine decreases apoptosis in cells.
“In addition, ALC inhibited apoptosis but increased starvation-induced autophagy”
Cellsin serum-starved cells
Cytotechnology
Cell proliferation
upin cells1
1 study
Cell proliferation
upin cells1
Acetyl-L-carnitine increases cell proliferation in cells.
“Treating with 1 mM ALC improved proliferation and alleviated senescence of starved cells”
Cellsin serum-starved cells1 mM
Cytotechnology
Perceived stress
downin humans1
1 study
Perceived stress
downin humans1
Acetyl-L-carnitine decreases perceived stress in humans (p < 0.001).
“The PSS scores of the patients improved significantly (p < 0.001) in the combo group.”
Human trialin women with PCOS1500 mg ALC, 500 mg metformin, 15 mg pioglitazone twice daily12 weeksfemalesn = 72
Advances in therapy
Body circumference
downin humans1
1 study
Body circumference
downin humans1
Acetyl-L-carnitine decreases body circumference in humans (p < 0.001).
“Interestingly, there was a significant improvement in body circumference (p < 0.001) in the combo group.”
Human trialin women with PCOS1500 mg ALC, 500 mg metformin, 15 mg pioglitazone twice daily12 weeksfemalesn = 72
Advances in therapy
Menstrual regularity
upin humans1
1 study
Menstrual regularity
upin humans1
Acetyl-L-carnitine improves menstrual regularity in humans (97.2% vs 12.9%).
“Interestingly, regular menstrual cycles were found (97.2%) in the carnitine group, but in only 12.9% of the other group.”
Human trialin women with PCOS1500 mg ALC, 500 mg metformin, 15 mg pioglitazone twice daily12 weeksfemalesn = 72
Advances in therapy
Insulin resistance
downin humans1
1 study
Insulin resistance
downin humans1
Acetyl-L-carnitine decreases insulin resistance in humans (p < 0.001).
“HOMA-IR also decreased in both groups (both p < 0.001).”
Human trialin women with PCOS1500 mg ALC, 500 mg metformin, 15 mg pioglitazone twice daily12 weeksfemalesn = 72
Advances in therapy
Glucose oxidation
no changein humans1
1 study
Glucose oxidation
no changein humans1
Acetyl-L-carnitine has no effect on glucose oxidation in humans.
“The increase in the M value was related to increased glucose storage (highly significant effect of ALC) rather than increased glucose oxidation (no statistical significance).”
Human trialtype 2 diabetesn = 18
Acetyl-L-carnitine infusion increases glucose disposal in type 2 diabetic patients
Metabolism: clinical and experimental
Glucose uptake
upin humans1
1 study
Glucose uptake
upin humans1
Acetyl-L-carnitine increases glucose uptake in humans (from 3.8 to 5.2 mg/kg/min, P = .006).
“The total end-clamp glucose tissue uptake (M value) was significantly increased by the administration of ALC (from 3.8 to 5.2 mg/kg/min, P = .006)”
Human trialtype 2 diabetestissuen = 18
Acetyl-L-carnitine infusion increases glucose disposal in type 2 diabetic patients
Metabolism: clinical and experimental