The disruption of L-carnitine metabolism by aluminum toxicity and oxidative stress promotes dyslipidemia in human astrocytic and hepatic cells

Toxicol Lett. 2011 Jun 24;203(3):219-26. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2011.03.019. Epub 2011 Mar 23.

Abstract

L-Carnitine is a critical metabolite indispensable for the metabolism of lipids as it facilitates fatty acid transport into the mitochondrion where β-oxidation occurs. Human astrocytes (CCF-STTG1 cells) and hepatocytes (HepG2 cells) exposed to aluminum (Al) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), were characterized with lower levels of L-carnitine, diminished β-oxidation, and increased lipid accumulation compared to the controls. γ-Butyrobetainealdehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) and butyrobetaine dioxygenase (BBDOX), two key enzymes mediating the biogenesis of L-carnitine, were sharply reduced during Al and H₂O₂ challenge. Exposure of the Al and H₂O₂-treated cells to α-ketoglutarate (KG), led to the recovery of L-carnitine production with the concomitant reduction in ROS levels. It appears that the channeling of KG to combat oxidative stress results in decreased L-carnitine synthesis, an event that contributes to the dyslipidemia observed during Al and H₂O₂ insults in these mammalian cells. Hence, KG may help alleviate pathological conditions induced by oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum / toxicity*
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Carnitine / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dyslipidemias / chemically induced*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / toxicity
  • Ketoglutaric Acids / metabolism
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • gamma-Butyrobetaine Dioxygenase / metabolism

Substances

  • Ketoglutaric Acids
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Aluminum
  • gamma-Butyrobetaine Dioxygenase
  • Carnitine