Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALA), a natural biologically active substance, physiologically present in the body in various organs and tissues, including the central nervous system, is involved in the metabolism of fatty acids and carbohydrates. The pharmacological and biological effects of ALA are largely due to metabolic effects L- carnitine and the acetyl group included in its composition. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALA), a biologically active form of L-carnitine, a key substance in the process of fat catabolism and energy production in the body.ALA is synthesized in the brain tissue, liver and kidneys from L-carnitine with the participation of the enzyme carnitine acetyltransferase. Because ALA supplies activated acetate directly to the mitochondrial matrix for education acetyl-CoA, participating in the cycle of tricarboxylic acids, without additional expenditure of energy, it is an easily accessible substrate for the initiation of volatile metabolic processes in the mitochondria. Due to the high-grade energy supply of the body with less oxygen consumption by tissues, ALA protects brain tissue from ischemia.
Due to its structural similarity with acetylcholine, ALA has a cholinomimetic effect, and also exhibits neuroprotective properties. It increases the cellular concentration of aspartic and glutamic acid, as well as taurine, with prolonged use increases the density of H-methyl-O-aspartate receptors in the hippocampus, cortex and striatum and prevents their Density under aging. ALA enhances the effects of serotonin, and also protects brain cells from the neurotoxic effects of ammonia and glutamate.
The results of experimental studies have shown that ALA has antiamnestic activity, the ability to improve learning processes, the indices of non-associative memory, to have a positive effect on mnestic functions in the experimental model of Alzheimer's disease without causing side effects of a sedative and miorelaxing nature.
ALA increases energy production, being an easily accessible substrate for the initiation of volatile metabolic processes in the mitochondria. Stimulates the synthesis of proteins and phospholipids to build membranes, improves regeneration processes. When pathology has a neuroprotective effect, especially in relation to neurons and their organelles (mitochondria), as well as neurotrophic action due to modulation of the activity of the nerve growth factor (NGF). It has antioxidant and membrane stabilizing action. ALA can accelerate the regeneration of nerve cells in traumatic and endocrine lesions of peripheral nerves in experimental models of polyneuropathy in diabetes.
The noticeable effect of ALA has on the slowing down of aging processes due to the enhancement transport of fatty acids in mitochondria and maintenance of their work at the level of the young organism. ALA can accelerate the regeneration of nerve cells in traumatic and endocrine damage to peripheral nerves in experimental models of diabetes.