title: L-Propionyl carnitine, homocysteine and S-adenosylhomocysteine in hemodialysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  L-Carnitine, the acyl carrier into mitochondria, is derived from trimethyllysine. The formation of the latter compound is catalyzed by an S-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase, yielding S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy), the homocysteine direct precursor, as a product. Aim of this work was to determine if exogenously administered L-propionyl carnitine affects plasma levels of homocysteine, a cardiovascular risk factor, and its active metabolite AdoHcy, in chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma homocysteine and AdoHcy were determined by means of HPLC separation and detection in 14 hemodialysis patients before and after two months of i.v. L-propionyl carnitine treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were observed in plasma concentrations of homocysteine or AdoHcy after therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with a carnitine derivative does not significantly influence the plasma concentrations of homocysteine or of its active metabolite, AdoHcy, which are involved as risk factors for cardiovascular disease in chronic hemodialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: First Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. alessandra.perna@unina2.it
authors.forename: Alessandra F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Perna
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Acanfora
authors.forename: Ersilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Satta
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capasso
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ingrosso
authors.forename: Natale G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: De Santo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012435:S-Adenosylhomocysteine / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D006710:Homocysteine; C003223:propionylcarnitine; D012435:S-Adenosylhomocysteine; D002331:Carnitine