Plasma carnitine kinetics during orthotopic liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND Carnitine is synthesized mainly in the liver and plays an essential role in the transport of fatty acids in liver mitochondria for subsequent oxidation and energy production. METHODS The plasma concentrations of free carnitine, acylcarnitine, total ketone bodies, lactate, pyruvate, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were measured during liver transplantation. RESULTS The plasma free carnitine and acylcarnitine concentrations and the lactate to pyruvate ratio in patients with compromised grafts (group A) were significantly higher than those in patients with well-functioning grafts (group B) after reperfusion. The acylcarnitine concentration in group B decreased after incision, but it remained at a high level in group A. Significant correlations were found between the concentrations of HGF and free and acylcarnitine after reperfusion. CONCLUSION The accelerated flux of carnitine in the graft may be associated with deterioration of energy metabolism in the graft. An increased acylcarnitine concentration may reflect impaired liver regeneration.

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