[The cardioprotective action of carnitine and its structural analog 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazine)propionate on cardiac energy metabolism in experimental occlusion of the coronary artery in rats].

The effects of carnitine and its structural analogue 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazine) propionate (THP) were studied in rats with experimental myocardial infarction caused by occlusion of the left descending branch of the coronary artery. After one day in the group of untreated animals the relative lethality was 40.3 +/- 10.5%, the size of the infarction zone was 29.8 +/- 2.0%. Carnitine and THP decreased on the average twice the parameters as well as lactate level in the myocardium. THP prevented a reduction of ATP and AMP levels by 35 and 37%, respectively, and a decrease of adenine nucleotide pool by 30%. In this case carnitine was ineffective. It is suggested that inhibition of beta-oxidation of fatty acids by THP is energetically more beneficial for the myocardium during regional ischemia than substitution therapy with carnitine.