title: Comparison of vitamin e and L-carnitine, separately or in combination in patients with intradialytic complications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The most common complications during dialysis are hypotension and muscle cramps. There are many strategies to prevent and treat these complications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate effects of vitamin E and L-carnitine supplementation alone and in combination on intradialytic complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, 20 patients with end stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis that had intradialytic complications such as hypotension, muscle cramp, nausea, vomiting and headache were studied. These patients were studied in four 45 day periods, beginning with no treatment (step 1), receiving vitamin E (200 IU/d) (step 2), receiving L-carnitine (500 mg/d) (step 3) and their combination (step 4). Intradialytic complications were recorded in each step and compared between treatments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All three treatments significantly reduced frequency of muscle cramps in comparison to baseline values. Vitamin E alone and in combination with L-carnitine reduced the frequency of muscle cramps more effectively. Hypotension was significantly lower in combination therapy in comparison to baseline values and vitamin E treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin E and L-carnitine both have comparative effects on intradialytic complications. As the combination use of vitamin E and L-carnitine could more effectively reduce the intradialytic complications, it is recommended for daily use in hemodialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Liver and Gastrointestinal Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tayebi Khosroshahi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Bohlul
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Habibi Asl
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Habibzadeh
authors.affiliation: Medical Philosophy and History Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Parastoo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chaichi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghanbarpour
authors.affiliation: Medical Philosophy and History Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hossein Badie
keywords: Carnitine; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Renal Dialysis; Vitamin E