Altered maternal thyroid function: Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on fetal and neonatal myocardial free fatty acid oxidation,in vitro.

Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on myocardial free fatty acid oxidation,in vitro, in offsprings born of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid mothers was studied in rats. L-carnitine supplementation stimulated myocardial fatty acid oxidation during gestational period in offspring born of control and hyperthyroid mothers. In contrast L-carnitine supplementation induced stimulation in myocardial fatty acid oxidation was very less in fetuses born of hypothyroid mothers. However, in neonates born of hypothyroid mothers L-carnitine stimulated myocardial fatty acid oxidation to a great extent. The results suggested that during maternal hypothyroidism low availability of thyroid hormones to fetuses through maternal circulation and availability of less carnitine to neonates due to hypolactation might be responsible for decreased myocardial free fatty acid utilization. In neonates born of hypothyroid mothers and with cardiac energy insufficiency parenteral carnitine supplementation might be of great help to prevent mortality and morbidity of such offsprings.