Carnitine and trimethylaminobutyrate synthesis in rat tissues

Abstract

Liver and testis slices convert 6 N trimethyl lysine into 4 N trimethylaminobutyrate and carnitine. Adipose, skeletal muscle, heart, or kidney tissues metabolize trimethyl lysine into trimethylaminobutyrate but not into carnitine. Trimethylaminobutyrate hydroxylation, forming carnitine, occurs in liver and to a minor degree in testis. Liver is the primary site of carnitine biosynthesis in the rat.