Effects of supplementation of L-carnitine on the body composition of trained and sedentary rats

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on body composition of trained and sedentary rats. Were randomly selected 30 male Wistar rats of 12 weeks of age, whose weight ranged between 350 to 380 grams, four groups of animals: sedentary non-supplemented (SNS), sedentary supplemented (SS), trained not supplemented (ENS) trained and supplemented (ES). The training was done with sessions running on a treadmill, lasting an hour and chronic oral supplementation of L-carnitine. Both protocols with a duration of 4 weeks. Body composition was assessed by prediction equations to determine fat-free (FFM) and fat mass (FM). The results show that physical training decreases the values of FFM and FM in the ENS group, and that the administration of L-carnitine together with physical training partially reverses the reduction of MLG in ES. Finally concluded that physical exercise should be conducted jointly with the supplementation of L-carnitine, allowing a reduction in the MG and maintain levels in rats MLG growth process.