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29.08.2005
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| Basel - The Swiss based company Lonza announced today that a new study observed that supplementation with L-Carnipure® tartrate during pregnancy can significantly reduce the increased level of plasma free fatty acids, which is considered the main cause of insulin resistance, a major factor in gestational diabetes in pregnant women. This company-supported study conducted at the University of Vienna (Austria) has been published in Chemical Monthly 136, 1523-1533 (2005).
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New Study Suggests that Supplementation with L-Carnipure® Tartrate During Pregnancy Can Reduce Increased Levels of Plasma Free Fatty Acids, a Major Factor in Gestational Diabetes |
 | Gestational diabetes, a disorder of metabolism that appears during pregnancy,
affects about 5-10% of pregnancies. According to the American Diabetes Association, about 30% of women who suffered from gestational diabetes during their preg-nancy will develop a manifest type 2 diabetes within the following years.
Already by the 12th week of pregnancy, plasma L-Carnitine levels are significantly decreased, with a further reduction up to birth. This reduction of total L-Carnitine is mainly caused by a significant decrease of free L-Carnitine levels, Acylcarnitine lev-els being almost unaffected. Similar low levels of free L-Carnitine are only found in patients with an L-Carnitine deficiency. Lower L-Carnitine plasma levels lead to a down-regulation of the expression of certain enzymes involved in fatty acid metabo-lism, namely CPT1, CPT2 and CRAT. When the relative mRNA abundances of these enzymes are low, however, the plasma levels of free fatty acids increase. In this new study, L-Carnipure® tartrate supplementation was found to increase the relative mRNA levels of said enzymes in pregnant women.
Overall, there is increasing evidence that L-Carnitine may play an important role during pregnancy, particularly in women following a meat-reduced or vegetarian diet in whom daily L-Carnitine intake may be too low to meet the increased needs during pregnancy. Due to its excellent safety profile, L-Carnipure® supplementation may be appropriate for pregnant women to restore their L-Carnitine plasma levels and at the same time decrease plasma free fatty acids. Of course, pregnant women should always consult a physician before taking any dietary supplement.
Lonza is the world’s largest manufacturer of L-Carnitine and is the only manufacturer who can guarantee 100% pure L-Carnitine, completely free from unnatural D-Carnitine.
L-Carnipure® crystalline contains 100% L-Carnitine, while L-Carnipure® tartrate (U.S. Patent 5073376, Japan Patent JP 2546068 and other international patents) consists of 68% L-Carnitine and 32% L-tartaric acid. L-Carnipure® crystalline and L-Carnipure® tartrate have
been self affirmed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). L-Carnipure® products are produced from the same substance (gamma butyrobetaine) as from which the human body produces L-Carnitine. Being crystalline, white, water-soluble and heat stable, both products are ideal for use in various food and drink applications. In addition, L-Carnipure® tartrate is non-hygroscopic, odorless and has a pleasant citrus taste and excellent flowability. Both products are kosher certified. Further details are available at www.carnipure.com.
Lonza is a life sciences driven chemical and biotechnology company, headquartered in Switzerland, which generated sales of CHF 2.18 billion in 2004. 5700 people operating 18 production and R&D sites around the world are passionately delivering sustainable value to their customers. Lonza is one of the leading custom manufacturers of chemical intermediates and active ingredients as well as biopharmaceuticals for the pharmaceutical and agro-chemical industries. On the basis of organic and oleochemical and biotechnology platforms, Lonza creates value solutions for nutrition, hygiene & personal care, wood & water and industrial specialty markets. Lonza also offers polymer intermediates, resins and compounds. For more information please visit the company’s website at www.lonza.com.
For further information please contact:
Richard Sasse
Regulatory & Scientific Affairs
Tel +31 76 548 0018
Fax +31 76 542 4070
richard.sasse@lonza.com
Christine Menz
Communications
Tel +41 61 316 8253
Fax +41 61 316 9253
christine.menz@lonza.com
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