Effect of Carnitine and Ergothioneine on Human Platelet Metabolism 1

Abstract

Summary

Addition of carnitine or ergothioneine to human platelets in an in vitro incubation system resulted in significantly increased production of ¹⁴CO₂ from pyruvate-2-¹⁴C, and decreased production of lactate from glucose and of neutral compound from pyruvate. Oxygen consumption was unaffected. Results suggested that in the in vitro system employed, the importance of tricarboxylic acid cycle activity related more significantly to fatty acid metabolism than to respiration.

Appreciation is expressed to Dr. Rubin Bressler and Dr. Klaus Brendel for their very helpful advice and guidance in certain of the techniques employed here and in overall discussion of the data obtained.