Acylcarnitine C16-OH Unit Converter

Acylcarnitine C16-OH (3-hydroxyhexadecanoylcarnitine) is a long-chain hydroxylated acylcarnitine found in the blood. It forms when the body's process for breaking down 16-carbon fatty acids is incomplete, resulting in a hydroxylated intermediate that binds to carnitine for transport.

Under normal conditions, C16-OH is present at very low levels because the mitochondrial trifunctional protein rapidly processes it during fatty acid beta-oxidation. Elevated levels suggest a disruption in this pathway.

C16-OH is typically measured alongside other hydroxylated long-chain acylcarnitines such as C18-OH and C18:1-OH as part of an acylcarnitine profile panel.

C16-OH is produced in the mitochondria of cells throughout the body when long-chain fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation. It is an intermediate of the reaction catalyzed by long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD), part of the mitochondrial trifunctional protein complex.