| abstract |
Carnitine, aminocarnitine and cysteic acid serve as carriers to bring pharmaceutically active compounds to desired sites in the body, e.g. skeletal muscle or to the heart. The pharmaceutically active compound can be a protease inhibitor, a cardioactive drug for combating arrythmia, etc. The linkage is chemical through one or more alcohol, carboxyl or amine groups using reagents such as glutaraldehyde, dicarboxylic acid anhydrides and acid halides and carbodiimdes. Carnitine derivatives are also incorporated into liposomes which are then used as carriers of active pharmaceutical agents. |