A mitochondrial metabolite; catabolized by plasma esterases into carnitine; facilitates the uptake of acetyl CoA into mitochondria during fatty acid oxidation, enhances acetylcholine production, and stimulates protein and membrane phospholipid synthesis; increases mGlu2/3 receptor protein levels and mechanical pain thresholds in a mouse model of chronic inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant at 100 mg/kg