(3S)-3-octanoyloxy-4-trimethylazaniumylbutanoate

Uses

Octanoyl-L-carnitine may be used as an analytical standard in the following:

• Separation and identification of underivatized octanoyl-L-carnitine in human plasma samples using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS).
• Quantification of the analyte in biological samples of patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-TQMS). The feasibility of adding L-carnitine to the peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution in APD-treated end-stage renal disease patients is investigated.

Definition

ChEBI: The L-enantiomer of an O-octanoylcarnitine.

General Description

Octanoyl-L-carnitine is a medium-chain endogenous ester of L-carnitine, obtained via acylcarnitine family transferase.

Biochem/physiol Actions

L-Octanoylcarnitine is the physiologically active form of octanoylcarnitine and is detected in medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency. MCAD is characterized by intolerance to prolonged fasting, recurrent episodes of hypoglycemic coma with medium-chain dicarboxylic aciduria, impaired ketogenesis, and low plasma and tissue carnitine levels.