title: Effect of L-carnitine supplementation in comparison with moderate aerobic training on serum inflammatory parameters in healthy obese women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obesity is an important worldwide public health problem and considered a disease of chronic low-grade inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation in comparison with moderate aerobic exercise training on serum inflammatory parameters in healthy obese women.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 44 obese women were randomly assigned to 4 groups (N.=11) as follows: 1: L-carnitine supplementation (2 g/day) (CAR), 2: aerobic training + placebo (EXR+PLA), 3: L-carnitine supplementation + aerobic training (CAR+EXR) and 4: placebo (PLA). All intervention periods were eight weeks and subjects of aerobic training groups underwent 8-week aerobic training protocol (3 sessions a week [24 sessions]). Body Mass Index, daily dietary intake and serum free L-carnitine, IL-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and IL-10 levels of subjects were measured before and after interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interventions had no significant effects on body weight, BMI, daily dietary intake and serum IL-10 levels of subjects in all groups. Serum free L-carnitine concentration increased significantly after interventions in CAR and CAR+EXR groups. Significant decreases of IL-6 were observed in EXR+PLA and CAR+EXR groups compared with placebo group. L-carnitine supplementation plus aerobic training led to significant decrease of serum Hs-CRP levels in CAR+EXR group compared with baseline values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  L-carnitine supplementation did not affect serum IL-6, Hs-CRP and IL-10 levels in obese women. Aerobic training alone or in combination with L-carnitine had favorable effect on serum Il-6 and Hs-CRP levels as markers of inflammation in studied subjects.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Research Center, Department of Nutrition in Community, Faculty of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran - mina.karimi33@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafraf
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jafari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002331:Carnitine