Circadian clock plays an essential role in orchestrating daily physiology, and its disruption can evoke metabolic diseases such as obesity. L-Carnitine can reduce blood lipid levels, and ameliorate fatty liver through regulating lipid metabolism. However, whether L-Carnitine administration may affect the disturbance of lipid metabolism and circadian rhythm of mice induced by prolonged circadian disruption is still unknown. Herein, we investigated the effects of L-Carnitine on conditions of circadian clock and lipid metabolism through a chronic jet-lag mice model which was developed by reversing 12 h light/12 h dark cycle every 4 days for a continuous 12 weeks. Results showed that L-Carnitine administration significantly decreased levels of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and triglycerides (TG), which were remarkably elevated by chronic jet-lag. More importantly, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that L-Carnitine supplementation would effectively counteract the negative
alterations in gene expression which related to lipid metabolism (Srebp1, Acaca, Fasn, and Scd1), metabolic regulator (mTOR)
and circadian rhythm (Bmal1 , Per1, Cry1 and Dec1 ) in the liver of
mice subjected to the chronic jet-lag. As a conclusion, L-Carnitine was partly effective in preventing the disruption of circadian clock and lipid metabolic disorders induced by the chronic jet-lag.