Aminocarnitine and related compounds as inhibitors of carnitine transferases: physiologic implications.

beta-Aminocarnitine and its N-acetyl and N-palmitoyl amides were examined as inhibitors of carnitine acetyltransferase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase, and of fatty-acid oxidation in whole animals, tissues, and hepatic microsomal systems. Results were consistent with subsequent findings that aminocarnitine and palmitoylcarnitine have significant antiketogenic and hypoglycemic effects in experimental animals.