Comparison of the effects of 10 μM genistein, 1 mM IBMX, 500 μM levamisole, and 100 μM progesterone on carnitine uptake and ALP activity in BeWo cells. Uptake of 10 nM [3H]-L-carnitine was measured at 37°C for 20 or 30 minutes with 30-minute preincubation of IBMX and levamisole, 15-minute preincubation of genistein, and 20-minute preincubation of progesterone. ALP activity was monitored by the 60-minute conversion of 1 mM 4-nitrophenylphosphate to 4-nitrophenol with preincubation times identical to those of the carnitine experiments. All values are expressed as percent of control (carnitine uptake or ALP activity without any preincubations or compounds present) and corrected for protein content. Data points represent averages and standard deviations of 3−4 determinations. * Significantly different from control carnitine uptake (p < 0.05). # Significantly different from control ALP activity (p < 0.05).