Two on lipid metabolism - Case Study Example

Specifically, carnitine acyltransferase exchanges carnitine with coenzyme A from acetyl CoA, thus forming acetylcarnitine and free coenzyme A in the process. Sequentially, the free coenzyme A is supplied to the mitochondria. This process occurs especially during a high intensity exercise when coenzyme A supply can be quickly depleted and acetyl CoA synthesis by pyruvate dehydrogenase takes place rapidly than the citric acid cycle can utilize (Devlin, 2011). When carnitine is inactivated, fatty acids cannot be transported across the mitochondrial membrane.

As a consequence, high levels of fatty acids accumulate in the blood (Huether and McCance, 2006). The incomplete oxidation of fatty acids in hepatic mitochondria produces ketoacids such as acetoacetate. Since inactivation of carnitine compromises fatty acid metabolism, serum levels of ketoacids are expected to decline as a result (Devlin, 2011). The role of vitamin C in carnitine activity can be considered as either direct or indirect. Along with other substances, ascorbic acid is an important requirement for the synthesis of carnitine in the body.

Carnitine is considered as both an amino acid and a vitamin. Since carnitine can be synthesized in the body for as long as its component substances are present, deficiency of vitamin C directly averts this process. Furthermore, research suggests that vitamin C synergistically works with carnitine in lipid metabolism. Aside from being a component of carnitine, indirect effect of vitamin C in carnitine activity comes from its role as a cofactor in the metabolism of cholesterol to bile acids, thereby facilitating efficient lipid metabolism.

In fact, vitamin C is found to have a role in reducing the risk for cardiovascular diseases by acting as an antioxidant that combats the damaging effects of free radicals (Lukaski, 2004). Carnitine is produced in the body through the conversion of amino acids lysine and methionine