Is oral L-acyl-carnitine an effective therapy for hepatic encephalopathy? Review of the literature.
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with advanced chronic liver disease. Current therapies are associated with inconvenient side-effects, high cost, and incomplete efficacy. The quanternary ammonium compound L-acyl-carnitine has been suggested as a potent, low-cost, and safe alternative therapy for patients with cirrhosis and HE. A systematic review of the literature assessing the use of carnitine in the treatment of HE identified three high-quality human trials for review. Analysis of the selected carnitine trials compared to currently accepted therapies suggests that L-acyl-carnitine is promising as a safe and effective treatment for HE, and further trials of this drug are warranted.
Shores
Nathan J
NJ
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health System, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. NShores@wfubmc.edu
Keeffe
Emmet B
EB
D000284:Administration, Oral; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C116917:acylcarnitine; D002331:Carnitine