Preparation and characterization of prostanoyl carnitine

A method is described for the preparation of prostanoyl carnitine from prostanoic acid and L-carnitine. The crystalline compound exhibits an IR spectrum and chemical reactivity characteristic of long chain acyl carnitine esters and undergoes β-oxidation in rat liver mitochondria in the absence of exogenous carnitine and ATP. This suggests that it may be an intermediate in the transport of prostanoic acid across the mitochondrial membrane. The data supply additional evidence that prostaglandin-like substances are converted to the carnitine ester prior to transport in the mitochondrion.