Question

A deficiency of carnitine results in muscle cramps, which are exacerbated by fasting or exercise. give a biochemical explanation for the muscle cramping, and explain why cramping increases during fasting and exercise.

Answer 1

Carnitine is a transporter if we want to oxidize fatty acids Fatty acid oxidation makes large amount of ATP to power muslces, so without this oxidation muscles rely on stored glycogen or circulating glucose to receive ATP. Muscle cramping exacerbated by fasting because concentration of circulating glucose is decreased and glycogen stores are depleted. Exercise increases cramping because the demand for ATP is greater.