title: The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid parameters, inflammatory and nutritional markers in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
abstract: Protein energy malnutrition and inflammation are common and usually concurrent in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Carnitine, a small molecule involved in fatty acid metabolism, is significantly decreased in long-term HD patients. L-Carnitine supplementation may have potential benefits in improving dialysis-related disorders. However, there are conflicting reports with regard to the beneficial effects of L-Carnitine supplementation. Hence, the present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of L-Carnitine supplementation on lipid parameters, apoproteins and inflammatory and nutritional markers in HD patients. A total of 35 patients with end-stage renal disease, on MHD for a period of 2 to 5 years were recruited into the study. The study group consisted of 20 patients who received Carnitine supplementation intravenously three times a week after each HD session, at 1 g/dose, while the control group consisted of 15 patients without supplementation with L-Carnitine. Highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), total protein, albumin, lipid profile and apoprotein AI and B were determined at baseline and at the end of the study. A significant decrease in the hsCRP levels was observed in the Carnitine-supplemented group (P < 0.05). However, no significant change was observed in the lipid parameters and nutritional markers in the Carnitine-supplemented group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates the significant benefit of L-Carnitine supplementation on inflammatory status in MHD patients as noted by marked decrease in hsCRP levels in comparison with the control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Suchitra
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Ashalatha
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sailaja
authors.forename: A Madhusudhana
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: V Sheshadri
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Aparna R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bitla
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sivakumar
authors.forename: P V L N Srinivasa
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000097:blood; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002331:Carnitine