title: L-carnitine supplementation improves hematological pattern in patients affected by HCV treated with Peg interferon-α 2b plus ribavirin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of L-carnitine on alleviating anemia, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia, and minimizing dose reductions in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in treatment with Interferon α (IFN-α) plus ribavirin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-nine patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups. group A (n = 35) received Peg-IFN-α 2b plus ribavirin plus L-carnitine, and group B (n = 34) received Peg-IFN-α and ribavirin for 12 mo. All patients underwent laboratory investigations including: red cell count, hemoglobin, white cell count, platelets, bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and viremia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 12 mo in group A compared to group B we observed significant differences in AST 108.8 vs 76.8 (IU/L; P < 0.001), ALT 137.9 vs 112.3 (IU/L; P < 0.001), viremia 4.04 vs 2.36 (× 10(6) copies/mL; P < 0.001), Hb 1 vs 3.5 (g/dL; P < 0.05), red blood cells 0.3 vs 1.1 (× 10(12)/L; P < 0.001), white blood cells 1.5 vs 3 (× 10(9)/L; P < 0.001) and platelets 86 vs 85 (× 10(9)/L; P < 0.001). The end treatment responders were 18 vs 12 (60% vs 44%) and the non responders were 12 vs 15 (40% vs 50%) [odds ratio (OR) 1.65, 95% CI = 0.65-5.37, P < 0.05]. In group A compared to group B there was a significant improvement of sustained virological response in 15 vs 7 patients (50% vs 25%), while the relapsers were 3 vs 5 (10% vs 18%) (OR 3.57, 95% CI = 0.65-19.3, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  L-carnitine supplementations modulate erythropoiesis, leucopoiesis and thrombocytopoiesis, and may be useful in patients treated for HCV. L-carnitine treatment offers the possibility of achieving a sustained virological response while preventing overtreatment.
authors: Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Catania, Viale Messina 829, Catania, Italy.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Malaguarnera
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Vacante
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Giordano
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Motta
authors: Gaetano
authors: G
authors: Bertino
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Pennisi
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Neri
authors: Mariano
authors: M
authors: Malaguarnera
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Li Volti
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Galvano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; D002331:Carnitine