Fatty acids are an important source of energy for the skeletal muscle. During exercise, their mobilization is increased to supply the muscle energetic needs. Many points of regulation act in the fatty acids metabolism, where the carnitine palmytoiltransferase (CPT) complex is the main control system. Three compounds named CPT I, CPT II and carnitine acyl carnitine translocase (CACT) are components of this system. Its function is to control the influx of fatty acids inside the mitochondria for posterior oxidation and energy production. There is a pronounced increase in both activity and gene expression of CPT I in the skeletal muscle in response to exercise. Due to its importance in lipid metabolism, the controlling mechanisms are reviewed in the present study. The modulation of gene expression by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) alpha and beta during the physical training is also discussed in this review.
lipid metabolism; long chain fatty acid transport; gene expression; peroxisome proliferator activated receptors
