L-carnitine deficiency in AIDS patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate carnitine (3-hydroxy-4-N-trimethyl-ammoniobutanoate) deficiency in AIDS patients by measuring serum total, free and short-chain carnitine concentrations.


METHODS
We conducted an open study.


METHODS
All patients were seen at the Infectious Diseases Clinic, Università 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy.


METHODS
Twenty-nine AIDS patients, aged 27-41 years, with a previous history of drug use; and 14 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were studied.


METHODS
Study subjects were administered 500-800 mg zidovudine daily for 2 to 28 months (8 +/- 6 months).


METHODS
Carnitine deficiency was suspected in study participants prior to data collection because of previously reported cardiac symptoms, muscle weakness, hypometabolism and/or cachexia.


RESULTS
A marked decrease in total and free carnitine was observed in 21 (72%) subjects. Nine of these patients also had low levels of short-chain carnitine.


CONCLUSIONS
AIDS patients may become carnitine-depleted and therefore at risk for alterations in fatty-acid oxidation and energy supply.
De Simone
C
C
Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università dell' Aquila, Italy.
Tzantzoglou
S
S
Jirillo
E
E
Marzo
A
A
Vullo
V
V
Martelli
E A
EA
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D002331:Carnitine / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014804:Vitamin B Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology
D002331:Carnitine