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Acetyl-l-Carnitine Protects Against Amyloid-Beta Neurotoxicity: Roles of Oxidative Buffering and ATP Levels

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Abstract

Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR), normally produced in mitochondria, is a precursor of acetyl-CoA in the tricarboxylic (TCA) cycle. Since mitochondrial compromise and ATP depletion have been considered to play a role in neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we examined whether ALCAR attenuated oxidative stress and/or ATP depletion after exposure of cells to beta-amyloid (Abeta), a neurotoxic peptide that accumulates in AD brain. Differentiated SH-SY-5Y human neuroblastoma cells were exposed for 2–24 h to 20 μM Abeta in the presence and absence of 50 μM ALCAR. ALCAR attenuated oxidative stress and cell death induced by Abeta neurotoxicity. Abeta depleted ATP levels, suggesting Abeta may induce neurotoxicity in part by compromising neuronal energy. ALCAR prevented ATP depletion; therefore, ALCAR may mediate its protective effect by buffering oxidative stress and maintaining ATP levels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Neurobiology and Neurodegeneration Research, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, 01854

    Sirakarnt Dhitavat, Daniela Ortiz & Thomas B. Shea

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, 01854

    Thomas B. Shea & Ezequiel R. Rivera

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  1. Sirakarnt Dhitavat
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  2. Daniela Ortiz
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  3. Thomas B. Shea
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  4. Ezequiel R. Rivera
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Dhitavat, S., Ortiz, D., Shea, T.B. et al. Acetyl-l-Carnitine Protects Against Amyloid-Beta Neurotoxicity: Roles of Oxidative Buffering and ATP Levels. Neurochem Res 27, 501–505 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019800703683

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