Plasma carnitine and body composition.

Plasma carnitine has been determined in 16 men and 45 women without known muscular disorders. Mean values were 57.3 mumoles/l +/- 12.8 (S.D.) for men and 46.5 mumoles/l +/- 12.4 (S.D.) for women. The difference was statistically significant. Of the variables tested, a positive significant relationship was found between plasma carnitine and age, but not for different variables of body composition, e.g. body cell mass or plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. The daily urinary excretion of carnitine has been compared in a healthy individual during two periods, one on an ordinary diet and one on a gruel diet, giving a constant carnitine intake. The mean value of carnitine excretion (241 mumoles per 24 h) of the two periods did not differ and although the variance was less on the gruel diet, no statistical difference was found.