Nutrients such as carnitine and taurine have been extensively studied in the context of energy production and the central nervous system, respectively. In addition to these already known effects, evidence shows other promising actions for both. Here are four studies looking at new possible applications for carnitine and taurine.
New clinical potential for carnitine
Two published studies on L-carnitine indicate uses other than its well-known and important role in mitochondrial function. In the study by Feky et al. (2024), it was investigated whether the amino acid has myocardial protective effects in open-heart surgery in children, as previously reported in adults. Sixty children (3.8 ± 1.2 years) with congenital heart disease were randomized into two groups: the L-carnitine group (50mg/kg once a day for 1 month before heart surgery) and the control group which received placebo (5% glucose) under the same protocol. As a result, compared to the control group, those who received carnitine showed a significant reduction in the level of postoperative apoptosis markers (fas and caspase-3) and postoperative oxidative stress markers (MDA), and a significant increase in postoperative SOD. In addition, there was a significant reduction in cardiac enzymes (CK-MB and troponin I) compared to the control group. These findings indicate that carnitine may provide myocardial protection in pediatric cardiac surgery.
In the small study by Junyan et al. (2024), L-carnitine (2g/d) was administered to 11 patients with steatohepatitis associated with metabolic dysfunction (MASH) for 10 weeks. Among the findings, while fasting glucose and glycohemoglobin levels were not significantly altered, serum AST, ALT and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels were significantly improved. Histological examinations revealed a significant improvement in liver inflammation, the hepatic steatosis activity score and the degree of inflammation and ballooning, but there was no significant improvement in the stages of steatosis and fibrosis after 10 weeks of supplementation. At the same time, when they carried out a long-term study (68 weeks) in mice on an atherogenic high-fat diet, they found that carnitine improved steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis.
Taurine confirming new effects
Results from several previous studies suggest that taurine supplementation may have many (direct and indirect) advantageous roles for exercise performance, including cellular osmoregulation and vasoactive properties. Controlling for exercise intensities, metabolic profile and environmental constraints, Peel et al. (2024) have now investigated the effects of taurine (50mg/kg) vs placebo (30mg/kg maltodextin) for 8 days on sweating responses in the heat during prolonged low intensity exercise and stimulation in fifteen volunteers. The actions of taurine during exercise and heat stress were shown to be positive and may be relevant for athletes, for example, who exercise in hot environmental conditions that allow sufficient latent heat transfer.
From another angle, the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study by Mallaliy (2024) investigated the effects of taurine supplementation on cardiac health parameters in 80 adults (18-65 years) over 12 weeks. The taurine group (6g/day), with a baseline ejection fraction of 61.3%, showed notable reductions in SBP (from 136.5mmHg to 126.1mmHg, p<0.001) and DBP (from 80.4mmHg to 73.3mmHg, p<0.001) post-intervention versus the placebo group (not specified). Vasodilation increased from 5.4% to 7.0% (p<0.001), indicating improved vascular function, as well as favorable changes in the lipid profile, with reductions in LDL and TG, and an increase in HDL cholesterol (all, p<0.001), suggesting a potential anti-atherogenic effect. Importantly, the taurine group also showed improvements in anti-inflammatory markers, as evidenced by reductions in CRP and IL-6 (both, p<0.001).
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