Myocardial free carnitine depletion in asphyxiated young mice-do hypoxic ischemic newborn infants need carnitine supplement?

Abstract

Myocardial carnitine levels were measured in three groups of young mice. Group I (control group) consisted of 5 mice whose hearts were removed by a median thoracotomy without any previous asphyxia with a free carnitine levels of 15.4±0.89 µmol/mg heart tissue. Free carnitine level of Group II (5 mice subjected to asphyxia in airtight jars without any resuscitation later on and hearts were removed after death) was 6.8±1.48 µmol/mg heart tissue. Group III (7 mice recovered from asphyxia with resusciation) was found to a free carinitine level of 8.28±1.25 µmol/mg heart tissue. The statistical analysis revealed that Group II and Group III had similar values but both groups had lower levels of myocardial carnitine comparing to the control group (p