Prevention of free fatty acid-induced hepatic lipotoxicity by carnitine via reversal of mitochondrial dysfunction.

Background: Mitochondria are the main sites for fatty acid oxidation and play a central role in lipotoxicity and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Aims: We investigated whether carnitine prevents free fatty acid (FFA)-induced lipotoxicity in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: HepG2 cells were incubated with FFA, along with carnitine and carnitine complexes.