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That is about what I got out of it.  However, this is L-carnitine, as  
opposed to BC2A, which is a different animal (or chemical, as the  
case may be).  One might work while the other doesn't.


On Mar 20, 2007, at 12:33 PM, rides2far@xxxxxxxx wrote:

> > http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/horses/nutrition_vitamins.htm
>
> Anybody wanna translate this? It seems to say they're not sure it  
> helps,
> but I sure could be wrong. I only understood about every third word.
> Angiie
>
> > snip<
>
> Zeyner, A. and J. Harmeyer (1999). Metabolic functions of L- 
> carnitine and
> its effects as feed additive in horses. A review. Archiv Fur
> Tierernahrung 52(2): 115-138.
> NAL Call Number: TRANSL 22766
> Abstract: L-carnitine, a betaine derivative of beta- 
> hydroxybutyrate, is
> found in virtually all cells of higher animals and also in some
> microorganisms and plants. In animals it is synthesized almost
> exclusively in the liver. Two essential amino acids, i.e., lysine and
> methionine serve as primary substrates for its biosynthesis. Also
> required for its synthesis are sufficient amounts of vitamin B6,
> nicotinic acids, vitamin C and folate. The first discovered ergogenic
> function of L-carnitine is the transfer of activated long-chain fatty
> acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane into the mitochondrial
> matrix. For this transfer acyl-CoA esters are transesterified to form
> acylcarnitine esters. Thus, in carnitine deficiency fat oxidation and
> energy production from fatty acids are markedly impaired. Skeletal
> muscles constitute the main reservoir of carnitine in the body and  
> have a
> carnitine concentration at least 200 times higher than blood plasma.
> Uptake of carnitine by skeletal muscles takes place by an active
> transport mechanism which transports L-carnitine into muscles  
> probably in
> the form of an exchange process with gamma-butyrobetain. In young  
> animals
> including foals, the capacity for biosynthesis of carnitine is not yet
> fully developed and apparently cannot meet the requirements of sucking
> animals. Sucking animals depend therefore on an extra supply of  
> carnitine
> which is usually provided with milk. Additionally, young animals
> including foals possess a lower concentration of carnitine in blood
> plasma than adult animals. Besides its role as carrier of activated  
> acyl
> groups, L-carnitine functions as a buffer for acetyl groups which  
> may be
> present in excess in different tissues during ketosis and hypoxic
> muscular activity. Other functions of L-carnitine are protection of
> membrane structures, stabilizing of a physiologic CoA-SH/acetyl-CoA  
> ratio
> and reduction of lactate production. Animal's derived feeds are  
> rich in
> L-carnitine whereas plants contain usually very little or no  
> carnitine.
> Carnitine is absorbed from the small intestine by active and passive
> transport mechanisms. From the increase in renal excretion of L- 
> carnitine
> after oral supplementations of 10 g/d to horses it has been concluded
> that the efficiency of absorption of L-carnitine is rather low  
> (about 5
> to 10% of the supplied dose). A further decrease in fractional  
> carnitine
> absorption was observed when the oral dose of carnitine was increased.
> L-carnitine is virtually not degraded in the body and renal  
> excretion of
> carnitine is comparatively small under normal conditions. The
> concentration of L-carnitine in blood plasma of horses varies markedly
> between animals and between different days. In addition, circadian
> changes in carnitine concentration in plasma have been reported. Peak
> concentrations were found during late afternoon, being up to 30%  
> higher
> than those in the morning. In breeding mares the carnitine  
> concentration
> in blood plasma declines with onset of lactation. In resting skeletal
> muscles about 90% of the total carnitine content is present as free
> carnitine with the remaining part being available as carnitine esters.
> With increasing exercise intensity a continuing greater proportion of
> free carnitine (up to 80%) is converted into carnitine esters, mainly
> into acetylcarnitine. This shift from free to acetylcarnitine is  
> readily
> reversed within about 30 min after termination of exercise. It appears
> that acute exercise does not have a marked effect on the content of  
> total
> carnitine in skeletal muscle whereas training seems to elevate its  
> total
> concentration in the middle gluteal muscle of 3 to 6 year old  
> horses and
> to reduce variation of its concentration compared to age-matched
> untrained horses. Oral supplementations of 5 to 50 g of L-carnitine  
> per
> day to horses elevated the carnitine concentration in blood plasma to
> about twice its basal concentration. No clear relationship existed,
> however, between the orally administered dose of carnitine and the
> increase of L-carni
> Descriptors: animal nutrition, carnitine metabolism, food additives,
> horses, animal feed, carnitine administration and dosage, physical
> conditioning, L-carnitine, oral supplementation.
>
>
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