L-Propionyl carnitine, homocysteine and S-adenosylhomocysteine in hemodialysis.
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.
Perna
Alessandra F
AF
First Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. alessandra.perna@unina2.it
Acanfora
Filomena
F
Satta
Ersilia
E
Lombardi
Cinzia
C
Capasso
Rosanna
R
Ingrosso
Diego
D
De Santo
Natale G
NG
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*
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D006710:Homocysteine; C003223:propionylcarnitine; D012435:S-Adenosylhomocysteine; D002331:Carnitine