Acetyl-L-Carnitine Monograph

Introduction Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) is an ester of the trimethylated amino acid, L-carnitine, and is synthesized in the human brain, liver, and kidney by the enzyme ALC-transferase. Acetyl-L-carnitine facilitates the uptake of acetyl CoA into the mitochondria during fatty acid oxidation, enhances acetylcholine production, and stimulates protein and membrane phospholipid synthesis. ALC, similar in structure to acetylcholine, also exerts a cholinomimetic effect. Studies have shown ALC may be of benefit in treating Alzheimer’s dementia, depression in the elderly, HIV infection, peripheral neuropathies, ischemia and reperfusion of the brain, and cognitive impairment associated with various conditions.1-3