title: Newer aspects of carnitine metabolism in uremia.
abstract: New knowledge on the physiologic role of L-carnitine and on the rationale of its use in patients on maintenance hemodialysis is provided. In particular, carnitine normalizes plasma and muscle carnitine levels and modifies both enzymatic pattern of muscle and morphology of single fibers, improving exercise tolerance. In addition, carnitine reduces erythropoietin requirements, the number of hypotensive episodes, improves ejection fraction, and decreases hospitalization.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology, University of Messina, Nephrology and Dialysis Units, Papardo Hospital and Policlinic University of Messina, Scientific Department of Sigma-Tau, Rome, Italy. visavica@tin.it
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Savica
authors.forename: Menotti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calvani
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Benatti
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Monardo
authors.forename: Agostino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mallamace
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Savica
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bellinghieri
mesh_terms: D002331:Carnitine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014511:Uremia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002331:Carnitine