Synergic and complementary effects of L-carnitine and coenzyme Q on long-chain fatty acid metabolism and on protection against anthracycline damage.

Exogenous L-carnitine and coenzyme Q are used to protect the heart against anthracycline damage and to enhance energy metabolism in the heart and in the muscle. Though their metabolic function is well known and their effects on anthracycline damage have been largely studied, their combined action has not been investigated. Therefore we have used partially CoQ-depleted bovine mitochondria to evaluate the synergic action of CoQ and carnitine on palmitoylCoA oxidation, as an experimental model in which either CoQ or L-carnitine may be the limiting factor in the oxidation of activated fatty acids. The protective effect exerted by the combined use of L-carnitine and CoQ against damage by the anthracycline derivative doxorubicin has been compared to the protection exerted by each compound alone. The effect was evaluated by assessing oxygen consumption and 14C-leucine incorporation in rat heart slices. The results obtained suggest that the administration of an association of L-carnitine and CoQ exerts a stronger protection against anthracycline damage and induces a greater utilization of fatty acids as compared to the effects of each compound alone.