Component

Palmitoyl-L-carnitine

Palmitoyl-L-carnitine. See linked evidence for experiment-specific scope.

10 recorded relationships. Experimental role, claim status and evidence remain attached to each record.

Read recorded mechanisms Open recursive mind map

How nutrients influence it

Every nutrient with a recorded effect on this component, credited to the nutrient that acted rather than the chapter that recorded it. Open a nutrient to see the findings and the conditions they were measured under.

How nutrients reach it in more than one step

Chains of two or more recorded steps that end here, grouped by the nutrient they start from. Each step is a separate finding, so a chain is a route a mechanism could take, not proof that it does.

Tracing routes…

What it does

Every recorded relationship this component is part of, grouped by its role. Plain wording comes first; the technical statement follows.

Recorded relationships

What it acts on

  1. Palmitoylcarnitine exposure increased CXCL8 expression and IL-8 release in human donor leukocytes.

    Palmitoyl-L-carnitine → Human leukocyte IL-8 release during palmitoylcarnitine exposure source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary abstract and full-text PBMC exposure methods and results
    experimental_model
    Human PBMCs; 2.5-25 micromolar dose range, four-hour exposure.
    limitations
    Does not prove a clinical inflammatory effect of carnitine supplements.
    nutrient_topic
    L-Carnitine collection; isomer, preparation, species, exposure and manipulation remain explicit. · L-Carnitine
    plain_language
    The acylated molecule can promote an inflammatory response in cells.
    primary_references
    Palmitoylcarnitine impairs immunity in decompensated cirrhosis. · 2024 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39524205/ · DOI 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101187

    L-Carnitine: synthesis, acyl-group transport, fuel selection and nutrient interactions (2026-09-19) · lines 514–520

    AI-assisted research curation; primary-abstract references and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Human PBMCs; 2.5-25 micromolar dose range, four-hour exposure. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## l-carnitine-acyl-immune-cytokine The acylated molecule can promote an inflammatory response in cells. Palmitoylcarnitine exposure increased CXCL8 expression and IL-8 release in human donor leukocytes. Model: Human PBMCs; 2.5-25 micromolar dose range, four-hour exposure. Limitations: Does not prove a clinical inflammatory effect of carnitine supplements. Evidence access: Primary abstract and full-text PBMC exposure methods and results Palmitoylcarnitine impairs immunity in decompensated cirrhosis. · 2024 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39524205/ · DOI 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101187
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  2. Adding palmitoylcarnitine impaired mitochondrial membrane potential and spare respiratory capacity in leukocytes from healthy donors.

    Palmitoyl-L-carnitine → Human leukocyte respiration during palmitoylcarnitine exposure source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary abstract and full-text PBMC exposure methods and results
    experimental_model
    Human donor leukocytes ex vivo; a separate cohort comparison measured acylcarnitines in decompensated cirrhosis.
    limitations
    PBMCs were exposed to 2.5-25 micromolar palmitoylcarnitine for four hours; this is not equivalent to taking free L-carnitine.
    nutrient_topic
    L-Carnitine collection; isomer, preparation, species, exposure and manipulation remain explicit. · L-Carnitine
    plain_language
    A loaded carnitine molecule can have effects beyond carrying fuel.
    primary_references
    Palmitoylcarnitine impairs immunity in decompensated cirrhosis. · 2024 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39524205/ · DOI 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101187

    L-Carnitine: synthesis, acyl-group transport, fuel selection and nutrient interactions (2026-09-19) · lines 506–512

    AI-assisted research curation; primary-abstract references and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Human donor leukocytes ex vivo; a separate cohort comparison measured acylcarnitines in decompensated cirrhosis. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## l-carnitine-acyl-immune-respiration A loaded carnitine molecule can have effects beyond carrying fuel. Adding palmitoylcarnitine impaired mitochondrial membrane potential and spare respiratory capacity in leukocytes from healthy donors. Model: Human donor leukocytes ex vivo; a separate cohort comparison measured acylcarnitines in decompensated cirrhosis. Limitations: PBMCs were exposed to 2.5-25 micromolar palmitoylcarnitine for four hours; this is not equivalent to taking free L-carnitine. Evidence access: Primary abstract and full-text PBMC exposure methods and results Palmitoylcarnitine impairs immunity in decompensated cirrhosis. · 2024 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39524205/ · DOI 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101187
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  3. Palmitoylcarnitine antagonized acetyl-CoA inhibition of human PANK2, providing a positive regulatory input in biochemical assays.

    Palmitoyl-L-carnitine → Human pantothenate kinase 2 / PANK2 source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    cross_nutrient
    true
    experimental_model
    Human PANK2 in 293T-cell lysates and purified enzyme assays
    exposure
    Human PANK2 in 293T lysates and purified-enzyme assays; indexed Fig. 1 used 0.2 micromolar acetyl-CoA.
    limitations
    Acylcarnitine is a specific molecule; this does not show that free-carnitine supplements activate PANK2 in people. Intact-organism fatty-acid-demand interpretation was proposed.
    nutrient_topic
    Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Pantothenate (vitamin B5)
    organism
    Homo sapiens
    plain_language
    A long-chain acylcarnitine can release the brake on PANK2.
    primary_references
    [b5-bio-pank2reg] Activation of human mitochondrial pantothenate kinase 2 by palmitoylcarnitine. (2007). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17242360/ DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0607621104
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Purified recombinant protein; no intact tissue

    Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5): coenzyme A, deficiency and nutrient interactions (2026-09-17) · lines 613–624

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Human PANK2 in 293T-cell lysates and purified enzyme assays · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### b5-bio-pank2-palmitoylcarnitine Palmitoylcarnitine antagonized acetyl-CoA inhibition of human PANK2, providing a positive regulatory input in biochemical assays. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: A long-chain acylcarnitine can release the brake on PANK2. organism: Homo sapiens tissue_or_cell_type: Purified recombinant protein; no intact tissue experimental_model: Human PANK2 in 293T-cell lysates and purified enzyme assays limitations: Acylcarnitine is a specific molecule; this does not show that free-carnitine supplements activate PANK2 in people. Intact-organism fatty-acid-demand interpretation was proposed. exposure: Human PANK2 in 293T lysates and purified-enzyme assays; indexed Fig. 1 used 0.2 micromolar acetyl-CoA. cross_nutrient: true [b5-bio-pank2reg] Activation of human mitochondrial pantothenate kinase 2 by palmitoylcarnitine. (2007). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17242360/ DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0607621104
    Complete structured claim and evidence

What acts on it

  1. Expressed human CPT2 formed medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines from acyl-CoAs; its physiological matrix-side reaction reconverts incoming acylcarnitines to acyl-CoAs plus free carnitine.

    Human carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 / CPT2 → Palmitoyl-L-carnitine source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary abstract and reviewed UniProt catalytic-reaction record
    experimental_model
    Human CPT2 in yeast homogenates; physiological direction from reviewed UniProt P23786/Rhea 12663.
    limitations
    The experiment directly measured the reverse reaction; direction in a cell depends on compartment and substrates.
    nutrient_topic
    L-Carnitine collection; isomer, preparation, species, exposure and manipulation remain explicit. · L-Carnitine
    plain_language
    The inner enzyme unloads the fatty-acid group and recycles carnitine.
    primary_references
    Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2: New insights on the substrate specificity and implications for acylcarnitine profiling. · 2010 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20538056/ · DOI 10.1016/j.bbadis.2010.06.002

    L-Carnitine: synthesis, acyl-group transport, fuel selection and nutrient interactions (2026-09-19) · lines 106–112

    AI-assisted research curation; primary-abstract references and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Human CPT2 in yeast homogenates; physiological direction from reviewed UniProt P23786/Rhea 12663. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## l-carnitine-cpt2-return The inner enzyme unloads the fatty-acid group and recycles carnitine. Expressed human CPT2 formed medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines from acyl-CoAs; its physiological matrix-side reaction reconverts incoming acylcarnitines to acyl-CoAs plus free carnitine. Model: Human CPT2 in yeast homogenates; physiological direction from reviewed UniProt P23786/Rhea 12663. Limitations: The experiment directly measured the reverse reaction; direction in a cell depends on compartment and substrates. Evidence access: Primary abstract and reviewed UniProt catalytic-reaction record Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2: New insights on the substrate specificity and implications for acylcarnitine profiling. · 2010 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20538056/ · DOI 10.1016/j.bbadis.2010.06.002
    Complete structured claim and evidence

Where it participates (unsigned role)

  1. Albumin reduced palmitoylcarnitine-associated oxidative stress and membrane-potential impairment in donor leukocytes.

    Human serum albumin → Human leukocyte oxidative stress during palmitoylcarnitine exposure source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary abstract and full-text PBMC exposure methods and results
    experimental_model
    Human PBMCs with 5 mg/ml human serum albumin, given 30 minutes before or alongside the four-hour exposure.
    limitations
    This comparison does not by itself prove a binding mechanism or clinical efficacy.
    nutrient_topic
    L-Carnitine collection; isomer, preparation, species, exposure and manipulation remain explicit. · L-Carnitine
    plain_language
    The surrounding protein environment changed the observed effect.
    primary_references
    Palmitoylcarnitine impairs immunity in decompensated cirrhosis. · 2024 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39524205/ · DOI 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101187

    L-Carnitine: synthesis, acyl-group transport, fuel selection and nutrient interactions (2026-09-19) · lines 522–528

    AI-assisted research curation; primary-abstract references and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Human PBMCs with 5 mg/ml human serum albumin, given 30 minutes before or alongside the four-hour exposure. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## l-carnitine-acyl-albumin The surrounding protein environment changed the observed effect. Albumin reduced palmitoylcarnitine-associated oxidative stress and membrane-potential impairment in donor leukocytes. Model: Human PBMCs with 5 mg/ml human serum albumin, given 30 minutes before or alongside the four-hour exposure. Limitations: This comparison does not by itself prove a binding mechanism or clinical efficacy. Evidence access: Primary abstract and full-text PBMC exposure methods and results Palmitoylcarnitine impairs immunity in decompensated cirrhosis. · 2024 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39524205/ · DOI 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101187
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  2. Purified rat mitochondrial CACT reconstituted into liposomes exchanged carnitine and transported acylcarnitines of several chain lengths.

    Rat carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase / Slc25a20 → L-Carnitine source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary abstract
    experimental_model
    Recombinant rat carrier and proteoliposomes.
    limitations
    Transport reconstitution is not a human flux measurement.
    nutrient_topic
    L-Carnitine collection; isomer, preparation, species, exposure and manipulation remain explicit. · L-Carnitine
    plain_language
    A separate carrier moves the loaded molecule across the inner membrane.
    primary_references
    Bacterial overexpression, purification, and reconstitution of the carnitine/acylcarnitine carrier from rat liver mitochondria. · 1998 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9731180/ · DOI 10.1006/bbrc.1998.9197

    L-Carnitine: synthesis, acyl-group transport, fuel selection and nutrient interactions (2026-09-19) · lines 98–104

    AI-assisted research curation; primary-abstract references and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Recombinant rat carrier and proteoliposomes. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## l-carnitine-cact-exchange A separate carrier moves the loaded molecule across the inner membrane. Purified rat mitochondrial CACT reconstituted into liposomes exchanged carnitine and transported acylcarnitines of several chain lengths. Model: Recombinant rat carrier and proteoliposomes. Limitations: Transport reconstitution is not a human flux measurement. Evidence access: Primary abstract Bacterial overexpression, purification, and reconstitution of the carnitine/acylcarnitine carrier from rat liver mitochondria. · 1998 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9731180/ · DOI 10.1006/bbrc.1998.9197
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  3. The human SLC25A20 p.Arg133Trp substitution impaired carrier activity after bacterial expression and liposome reconstitution.

    Human carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase / SLC25A20 → Human CACT carnitine transport activity source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    availability_state
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.
    evidence_access
    Primary abstract
    experimental_model
    Functional variant study within a six-patient CACT-deficiency report.
    limitations
    CACT deficiency is distinct from OCTN2 deficiency; supplying substrate does not replace a transporter.
    nutrient_topic
    L-Carnitine collection; isomer, preparation, species, exposure and manipulation remain explicit. · L-Carnitine
    plain_language
    A second transport defect can block the mitochondrial shuttle even when carnitine exists.
    primary_references
    Molecular and functional analysis of SLC25A20 mutations causing carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency. · 2004 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15365988/ · DOI 10.1002/humu.20085
    trigger_kind
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.

    L-Carnitine: synthesis, acyl-group transport, fuel selection and nutrient interactions (2026-09-19) · lines 122–128

    AI-assisted research curation; primary-abstract references and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Functional variant study within a six-patient CACT-deficiency report. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## l-carnitine-cact-loss A second transport defect can block the mitochondrial shuttle even when carnitine exists. The human SLC25A20 p.Arg133Trp substitution impaired carrier activity after bacterial expression and liposome reconstitution. Model: Functional variant study within a six-patient CACT-deficiency report. Limitations: CACT deficiency is distinct from OCTN2 deficiency; supplying substrate does not replace a transporter. Evidence access: Primary abstract Molecular and functional analysis of SLC25A20 mutations causing carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency. · 2004 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15365988/ · DOI 10.1002/humu.20085
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  4. Human CPT1B expressed in yeast catalyzed transfer from palmitoyl-CoA onto carnitine, forming palmitoylcarnitine and releasing CoA.

    Human carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1B / CPT1B → L-Carnitine source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary abstract and reviewed UniProt catalytic-reaction record
    experimental_model
    Human heart/muscle isoform in Pichia mitochondria; canonical reaction also recorded in UniProt Q92523/Rhea 12661.
    limitations
    This isoform assay does not measure whole-body fat loss.
    nutrient_topic
    L-Carnitine collection; isomer, preparation, species, exposure and manipulation remain explicit. · L-Carnitine
    plain_language
    The outer-membrane enzyme loads a fatty-acid group onto carnitine.
    primary_references
    Functional studies of yeast-expressed human heart muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase I. · 1997 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9344464/ · DOI 10.1006/abbi.1997.0314

    L-Carnitine: synthesis, acyl-group transport, fuel selection and nutrient interactions (2026-09-19) · lines 90–96

    AI-assisted research curation; primary-abstract references and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Human heart/muscle isoform in Pichia mitochondria; canonical reaction also recorded in UniProt Q92523/Rhea 12661. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## l-carnitine-cpt1-transfer The outer-membrane enzyme loads a fatty-acid group onto carnitine. Human CPT1B expressed in yeast catalyzed transfer from palmitoyl-CoA onto carnitine, forming palmitoylcarnitine and releasing CoA. Model: Human heart/muscle isoform in Pichia mitochondria; canonical reaction also recorded in UniProt Q92523/Rhea 12661. Limitations: This isoform assay does not measure whole-body fat loss. Evidence access: Primary abstract and reviewed UniProt catalytic-reaction record Functional studies of yeast-expressed human heart muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase I. · 1997 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9344464/ · DOI 10.1006/abbi.1997.0314
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  5. Myocytes derived from a CPT2-deficient patient accumulated palmitoylcarnitine; incubation at 38 degrees C accentuated accumulation relative to control myocytes.

    Human carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 / CPT2 → Human CPT2-deficient myocyte palmitoylcarnitine accumulation source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    availability_state
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.
    evidence_access
    Primary abstract
    experimental_model
    Human patient-derived iPSC myocytes; heat challenge.
    limitations
    A cellular disease model, not a universal plasma threshold or a supplement trial.
    nutrient_topic
    L-Carnitine collection; isomer, preparation, species, exposure and manipulation remain explicit. · L-Carnitine
    plain_language
    A downstream block can leave more loaded carnitine behind.
    primary_references
    Functional analysis of iPSC-derived myocytes from a patient with carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency. · 2014 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24780397/ · DOI 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.04.084
    trigger_kind
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.

    L-Carnitine: synthesis, acyl-group transport, fuel selection and nutrient interactions (2026-09-19) · lines 130–136

    AI-assisted research curation; primary-abstract references and experimental limitations individually identified. Not publisher full text. · supports · Human patient-derived iPSC myocytes; heat challenge. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ## l-carnitine-cpt2-heat A downstream block can leave more loaded carnitine behind. Myocytes derived from a CPT2-deficient patient accumulated palmitoylcarnitine; incubation at 38 degrees C accentuated accumulation relative to control myocytes. Model: Human patient-derived iPSC myocytes; heat challenge. Limitations: A cellular disease model, not a universal plasma threshold or a supplement trial. Evidence access: Primary abstract Functional analysis of iPSC-derived myocytes from a patient with carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency. · 2014 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24780397/ · DOI 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.04.084
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  6. Free carnitine did not activate purified human PANK2 in the experiment shown in Fig. 4B.

    L-Carnitine → Human pantothenate kinase 2 / PANK2 source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    cross_nutrient
    true
    experimental_model
    Human PANK2 in 293T-cell lysates and purified enzyme assays
    exposure
    Primary Fig. 4B purified-enzyme assay; carnitine concentration range not extracted.
    limitations
    The same paper observed free-carnitine activation in lysate preparations at higher concentrations, so the purified-enzyme negative result must not be generalized to every lysate condition. Neither assay tests clinical carnitine supplementation.
    nutrient_topic
    Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. · Pantothenate (vitamin B5)
    organism
    Homo sapiens
    plain_language
    The purified enzyme did not respond directly to free carnitine.
    primary_references
    [b5-bio-pank2reg] Activation of human mitochondrial pantothenate kinase 2 by palmitoylcarnitine. (2007). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17242360/ DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0607621104
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Purified recombinant protein; no intact tissue

    Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5): coenzyme A, deficiency and nutrient interactions (2026-09-17) · lines 626–637

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Human PANK2 in 293T-cell lysates and purified enzyme assays · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### b5-bio-pank2-free-carnitine Free carnitine did not activate purified human PANK2 in the experiment shown in Fig. 4B. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct dietary effect. plain_language: The purified enzyme did not respond directly to free carnitine. organism: Homo sapiens tissue_or_cell_type: Purified recombinant protein; no intact tissue experimental_model: Human PANK2 in 293T-cell lysates and purified enzyme assays limitations: The same paper observed free-carnitine activation in lysate preparations at higher concentrations, so the purified-enzyme negative result must not be generalized to every lysate condition. Neither assay tests clinical carnitine supplementation. exposure: Primary Fig. 4B purified-enzyme assay; carnitine concentration range not extracted. cross_nutrient: true [b5-bio-pank2reg] Activation of human mitochondrial pantothenate kinase 2 by palmitoylcarnitine. (2007). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17242360/ DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0607621104
    Complete structured claim and evidence

In the sources

Preserved passages that mention this component, quoted exactly. Open one to read it in context.

    This is a research prototype built from draft material. It is not medical advice, and its statements still await verification against the original studies.

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