Description
ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND L-CARNITINE
Book Summary
This work offers a detailed analysis of the relationship between arterial hypertension and L-carnitine, an essential compound in cellular energy metabolism. The reader will find a review of the biochemical and physiological bases of L-carnitine, from its discovery in 1905 to its role in transporting fatty acids to the mitochondria. The book explores how this quaternary amine, synthesized from lysine and methionine, can influence cardiovascular health, providing a clinical and scientific perspective for professionals and students in the field of internal medicine.
What is it about?
The book addresses arterial hypertension from the perspective of the biochemical role of L-carnitine. It begins with a historical overview of the discovery of levocarnitine by Krimberg and Gulewitsch in 1905, and its subsequent characterization in the 1950s as a key intermediate in energy metabolism. The chemical structure of L-carnitine is explained, described as 3-hydroxy-4-trimethylaminobutyric acid, and its synthesis process from the essential amino acids methionine and lysine, with the involvement of cofactors such as iron, niacin, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. The text focuses on one of its main physiological functions: the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria for oxidation, a fundamental process for cellular energy production. Based on this foundation, it analyzes its potential involvement in the regulation of blood pressure and the treatment of hypertension, offering an integrative vision of biochemistry and clinical practice.
Main Topics
- Biochemistry of L-carnitine: structure, synthesis, and necessary cofactors.
- Mitochondrial function and fatty acid transport.
- Relationship between energy metabolism and arterial hypertension.
- Clinical applications of L-carnitine in cardiovascular medicine.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at medical professionals, especially specialists in internal medicine, cardiology, and endocrinology, as well as researchers and health science students interested in nutritional biochemistry and its impact on arterial hypertension. It is also useful for pharmacists and dietitians-nutritionists seeking to understand the molecular mechanisms behind L-carnitine supplements.
What this book provides
- A solid scientific basis on the biochemistry and physiology of L-carnitine.
- Clarity in the explanation of complex metabolic processes, such as the transport of fatty acids to the mitochondria.
- A practical approach that links biochemical knowledge with the pathology of arterial hypertension.
- Updated and rigorous information for informed clinical decision-making.
Technical Specifications
- Author: AGUAYO JIMENEZ, CARMEN; AGUIRRE GONZALEZ, CRISTINA
- Publisher: DIEGO MARIN LIBRERO EDITOR SL
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: CLINICAL AND INTERNAL MEDICINE
- Collection: O.VARIAS
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition Date: January 2019
- Number of pages: 67
- Weight: 100 g
Editorial Review
This work represents a specialized and concise contribution to the study of arterial hypertension from a biochemical approach. Its main value lies in the clarity with which it explains the mechanisms of action of L-carnitine, facilitating the understanding of its therapeutic potential. It is especially useful for professionals looking to delve into the molecular bases of cardiovascular pathology without getting bogged down in general content, offering a direct and well-founded reading.