Sigma-tau HealthScience, Inc.

Sigma-tau HealthScience is part of the Sigma-tau group, the second largest pharmaceutical company in Italy, with affiliates worldwide. Sigma-tau, a leading investor in pharmaceutical R&D, is undisputed as the worldwide leader in carnitine and metabolic research and additionally ranks up among the top 25 niche companies in the world in patent activity.

Sigma-tau HealthScience L-Carnitine meets or exceeds all USP as well as other existing codex requirements for optical purity and, of course, other codex parameters.

The newly USP certified AminoCarnitines®, have received considerable attention in literature and/or in the press. Two such AminoCarnitines® are GlycoCarn®, USP – GPLC (brand of Glycine Propionyl-L-Carnitine Hydrochloride) and ArginoCarn®, USP (brand of Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate Dihydrochloride).

GlycoCarn® (Glycine Propionyl-L-Carnitine Hydrochloride) Enhanced support for healthy cardiovascular performance and exercise tolerance.

Propionyl-l-carnitine (PLC) as derived from GlycoCarn® is a carnitine derivative naturally produced in the body. It has been specifically investigated for its role in cardiovascular metabolic function, peripheral artery health, and exercise capacity. It has been noted for promoting energy metabolism and oxygen availability in muscles with a high workload. Studies suggest that PLC supports healthy myocardial contractility, heart muscle metabolism, heart cell membrane stability, skeletal muscle metabolism, Krebs cycle activity and lactate modulation. A 6-month randomized, double-blind study involving 50 subjects suggested that PLC supplementation supported maximum exercise capacity and promoted vascular health. In a controlled double-blind trial with 60 participants, PLC promoted exercise tolerance and supported healthy ventricular function. PLC was attributed with enhanced peak oxygen consumption and exercise time in a single blind, randomized, placebo controlled study. Data from a double-blind investigation indicated that PLC provided positive support for walking capacity and quality of life for volunteers after a six-month assessment period. In a related study involving almost 500 subjects, similar findings were reported. A multi-centre trial with over 200 individuals and a smaller double blind, randomized trial also revealed the ability of PLC supplementation to promote maximal walking distance and blood flow velocity. In one study comparing l-carnitine, acetyl-l-carnitine and PLC, PLC offered support for ventricular function while the other available forms of l-carnitine did not.

ArginoCarn® (Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate Dihydrochloride) Support for healthy neuron and cognitive function; may promote healthy male reproductive function.

A study showed an acetyl-l-carnitine arginine complex supported healthy neuron viability in a cellular in vitro experiment. In the same study, the acetyl-l-carnitine arginine complex was able to help maintain calcium homeostasis in nervous system cells stimulated with glutamate, preserving healthy cerebellar cell function. In a separate study, acetyl-l-carnitine arginate demonstrated potential support for maintaining healthy central nervous system function by promoting healthy neurite function. Neurites are the hair like projections of neurons, or nervous system cells, responsible for proper signal transmission. The acetyl group from acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) is also responsible for production of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter for optimal mental functioning. The efficacy of long-term acetyl-l-carnitine supplementation was investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, in which acetyl-l-carnitine demonstrated the ability to slow negative cognitive changes and supported memory and attention. A randomized double-blind study and a multi-centre trial suggested that acetyl-l-carnitine supplementation provided statistically significant support for mental function, including memory and attention, and behavioral and emotional support. Acetyl-l-carnitine and arginine also play roles in healthy male reproductive function. Acetyl-l-carnitine is present in human sperm and seminal fluid and plays an important part in energy metabolism, which may support healthy sperm motility and spermatogenesis, or sperm production. As a nitric oxide precursor, l-arginine may support healthy sexual function in men with low urinary nitric oxide values. Furthermore, some but not all research involving l-arginine supplementation for sperm motility is tested; otherwise healthy males have produced healthy results.