Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR) has emerged as a promising compound with potential therapeutic benefits in various neurodegenerative disorders and toxicological conditions. Researchers have shed light[1,2,3,4,5] on the neuroprotective and antioxidant properties of ALCAR, highlighting its potential in mitigating the progression of these diseases.
One area of investigation has been Parkinson's disease (PD), a debilitating condition characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the brain. Studies have shown that ALCAR treatment in animal models of PD promotes the proliferation, long-term survival, and neuronal differentiation of neural progenitor cells in the hippocampus[1]. This suggests that ALCAR could potentially counteract the nonmotor symptoms observed in PD, such as anxiety, depression, and impaired learning and memory, by regulating adult neurogenesis.
In addition to PD, ALCAR has shown promise in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Researchers have explored its protective effects in an autism-like rat model induced by propionic acid (PPA). The results revealed that ALCAR supplementation, along with liposomal Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), prevented cerebral and cerebellar oxidative injury, inflammation, and cell death. Moreover, ALCAR and CoQ10 combination therapy exhibited superior efficacy compared to individual treatments. This suggests a potential synergistic effect of these compounds in ameliorating the pathological features associated with ASD[2].
Furthermore, investigations into the effects of ALCAR and ketamine on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels have yielded intriguing results. While ketamine, an anesthetic, has been associated with cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity mediated by ROS, studies have indicated that ketamine can actually reduce ROS levels in mammalian cells and neurons in vitro. On the other hand, ALCAR has been found to elevate ROS generation[3]. These contrasting effects were observed in zebrafish larvae, where ketamine decreased ROS production, and ALCAR increased it. The interplay between ALCAR and ketamine in mitochondrial metabolism and ROS homeostasis warrants further exploration.
Moreover, ALCAR has also been studied in the context of benzene-induced hematotoxicity. Exposure to benzene, an environmental pollutant and occupational toxicant, can have detrimental effects on bone marrow and hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells[4]. However, ALCAR intervention has shown promise in mitigating these effects by reducing oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cell death in animal models.
Collectively, these studies demonstrate the potential of ALCAR as a neuroprotective and antioxidant agent in various pathological conditions. By regulating cell survival and death-related signals, promoting neurogenesis, and mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation that come with ageing and sickness[5], ALCAR holds promise as a therapeutic intervention for neurodegenerative disorders and toxicological injuries. Further research is necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying its effects and to explore its clinical applicability in these contexts.
In conclusion, the scientific community's exploration of ALCAR's properties and its role in mitigating neurodegenerative disorders and toxicological injuries offers hope for developing novel interventions to improve the lives of individuals affected by these conditions.
__Bibliography___ 1: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuint.2017.05.017 ALCAR promote adult hippocampal neurogenesis by regulating cell-survival and cell death-related signals in rat model of Parkinson's disease like-phenotypes
2: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113360 Acetyl-L-carnitine and/or liposomal co-enzyme Q10 prevent propionic acid-induced neurotoxicity by modulating oxidative tissue injury, inflammation, and ALDH1A1-RA-RARα signaling in rats
3: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2019.05.009 Ketamine-induced attenuation of reactive oxygen species in zebrafish is prevented by acetyl l-carnitine in vivo
4: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2017.02.013 Acetyl-l-carnitine partially prevents benzene-induced hematotoxicity and oxidative stress in C3H/He mice
5:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2017.08.017 Dietary supplementation with acetyl-l-carnitine counteracts age-related alterations of mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics and antioxidant defenses in brain of old rats
