Protection of adenylate pool and energy charge by L-carnitine and coenzyme Q during energy depletion in rat heart slices.

The effect of coenzyme Q, of L-carnitine, and of their combination, on the adenine nucleotide pool and the energy charge has been investigated in rat heart slices subjected to energy depletion and recovery. The addition of coenzyme Q or of L-carnitine alone results in a higher value of the energy charge and of the adenine nucleotide pool after hypoxia, reperfusion and rotenone inhibition of the respiratory chain, as compared to controls without additions. The protective effect is much stronger when the two compounds are given together.