Characteristics of l-carnitine import into heart cells

Abstract l -carnitine is an essential cofactor for the transport of fatty acids across the mitochondrial membranes. l -carnitine can be provided by food products or biosynthesized in the liver. After intestinal absorption or hepatic biosynthesis, l -carnitine is transferred to organs whose metabolism is dependent upon fatty acid oxidation, such as the skeletal muscle and the heart. The intracellular transport of l -carnitine into the cell requires specific transporters and today, several of these have been characterized. Most of them belong to the solute carrier family. Heart is one of the major target for carnitine transport and use, however basic properties of carnitine uptake by heart ce…