Effect of L-carnitine on plasma lipoprotein fatty acids pattern in patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of L-carnitine (L-C) administration on plasma lipoprotein fatty acids pattern in patients with primary hyperlipoprotinemia.


METHODS
The effect of L-C on plasma lipoprotein fatty acids pattern was investigated in 24 male and female hyperlipoproteinemic patients, aged 51.3 +/- 7.8 years (lipoprotein phenotypes: IIb and IV, WHO, 1970). After hypolipidemic diet (P, 22%; C, 48%; L, 30%; S, 10%; M, 10%; PV, 10%, cholesterol < 300 mg/d) lasting 30 days, L-C was given at a daily dosage of 1 g t.i.d. for 90 days.


RESULTS
Plasma total polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids ratio (8/5) showed a statistically significant increase after L-C (baseline: 0.74 +/- 0.2, vs 120 days: 0.84 +/- 0.2; p < or = 0.03). A statistically significant decrease of HDLs 16:0 (baseline: 28.1 +/- 4.2 vs 120 days: 26.4 +/- 3.7; p < or = 0.002), HDL3s 16:0 (baseline: 28.6 +/- 4.5 vs 120 days: 26.9 +/- 3.6; p < or = 0.001) and VLDLs 14:0 (baseline: 2.0 +/- 0.8 vs 120 days: 1.6 +/- 0.6; p < or = 0.02), specular to a statistically significant increase of VLDL's 18:2 (baseline: 21.9 +/- 5.1 vs 120 days: 24.3 +/- 4.9; p < or = 0.01), was also observed. Plasma levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were reduced after one month. Plasma apolipoprotein AI and B levels were significantly increased after 30 and 60 days of treatment with L-C.


CONCLUSIONS
A less atherogenic plasma lipoprotein fatty acids profile was observed after 120 days of combined treatment with diet and L-C.
Stefanutti
C
C
Istituto di Terapia Medica Sistematica, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
Vivenzio
A
A
Lucani
G
G
Di Giacomo
S
S
Lucani
E
E
D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006951:Hyperlipoproteinemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008074:Lipoproteins; D002331:Carnitine