The in vivo and in vitro effects of L-carnitine supplementation on the erythrocyte membrane acetylcholinesterase, Na+, K+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activities in basketball players

Abstract

Background: We investigated whether the activities of erythrocyte membrane acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Na+, K+-ATPase and Mg 2+-ATPase are modulated in basketball players pre- vs. post-forced training with or without L-carnitine (L-C) supplementation. Methods: Blood was obtained from 10 male players pre-game (group A) and post-game (group B) and after 1 month L-C supplementation (2 g/24 h orally) pre-training (group C) and post-training (group D). Lactate, pyruvate and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured with commercial kits, catecholamines with HPLC and the enzyme activities spectrophotometrically. Results: Lactate, pyruvate, AChE, Na +, K+-ATPase and catecholamines were increased (p<0.001) and TAS was decreased (p<0.001) in group B. In contrast, TAS remained unaltered and the all enzyme activities were reduced (p<0.001) in group D at the same time of study. Mg2+-ATPase activity remained unchanged. In vitro incubation of the modulated AChE and Na+, K +-ATPase with L-C (25 μM) from group B and group D resulted in a non-significant reduction of the enzymes in group B and complete restoration of their activities in group D. Conclusions: The increase of AChE and Na +, K+-ATPase activities may be due to the elevation of catecholamines in group B. Carnitine utilization by the muscles during training may result in a reduction of the enzyme activities (group D). The latter is supported by the recovery of the enzyme activities after incubation of the membranes from group D with L-C. © 2008 by Walter de Gruyter.