title: Carnitine in severely disabled patients: relation to anthropometric, biochemical variables, and nutritional intake.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carnitine plays a pivotal role in a variety of cellular functions. Carnitine deficiency often occurs in severely disabled patients, especially under valproic acid administration. However, the possible causative factors underlying carnitine deficiency have not been fully identified. The present study aimed at clarifying the association of various anthropometric and biochemical variables, including dietary intake of carnitine, with carnitine levels in severely disabled patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six severely disabled patients (mean age: 14.1 years; s.d. 7.8) were enrolled. Plasma carnitine levels were evaluated by an enzyme cycling assay. Estimation of the dietary intake of carnitine was made based on dietary records over a 3-day period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma total and free carnitine levels in patients were significantly lower than those in controls obtained from the previous report. However, the ratios of free carnitine to total carnitine did not change significantly. Free carnitine levels were well correlated with a nutritional intake of carnitine. Administration of not only valproic acid but also other anti-epileptic drugs was found to cause a significant decrease of free carnitine levels after adjusting the nutritional intake of carnitine. Among various anthropometric or biochemical variables, albumin and uric acid showed a significant correlation with free carnitine levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physicians should be aware of the fact that severely disabled patients are at risk for carnitine deficiency even in the absence of valproic acid administration, and pay more attention to the nutritional intake of carnitine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Todaiji Medical and Education Center, Nara, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Human Life and Environment, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan. Electronic address: mkubota@cc.nara-wu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kubota
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Human Life and Environment, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan.
authors.forename: Hinako
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Human Life and Environment, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan.
authors.forename: Ayako
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Human Life and Environment, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Higashiyama
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Todaiji Medical and Education Center, Nara, Japan.
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Todaiji Medical and Education Center, Nara, Japan.
authors.forename: Chiharu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kawaguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Todaiji Medical and Education Center, Nara, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiyotaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tomiwa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002331:Carnitine
keywords: Anthropometric measures; Biochemical variables; Carnitine; Dietary intake; Disabled patients; Valproic acid