title: Relationship between Carnitine Pharmacokinetics and Fatigue in Patients Treated with Cisplatin-Containing Chemotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Approximately 70% of the patients who receive chemotherapy suffer from fatigue, which lowers their quality of life and also has a negative influence on therapeutic efficacy. Previous studies have suggested a relationship between blood carnitine levels and fatigue. We conducted a prospective observational study to examine the relationship between carnitine pharmacokinetics and chemotherapy-induced fatigue in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy regimens that include cisplatin.
  
  
  METHODS
  11 patients receiving chemotherapy including cisplatin (60-80 mg/m2) were included in the study. We performed 24-h urine collections and took blood samples on day 1 (before the initiation of chemotherapy) and days 2, 3, 4, and 8 in order to measure the carnitine concentrations in the serum and urine. These were compared with measures of self-reported fatigue. The primary endpoint was the change in self-reported fatigue subscales from baseline to day 8.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urinary carnitine concentrations differed significantly on days 2 and 3 (p = 0.003). The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale version 4A score on day 8 indicated significantly higher levels of fatigue as compared to day 1 (p = 0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that there is an association between urinary carnitine levels and self-reported fatigue.
authors.forename: Tomoaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikezaki
authors.forename: Kensuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Kenta
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kambara
authors.forename: Minehiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inomata
authors.forename: Seisuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okazawa
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kajiura
authors.forename: Toshiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miwa
authors.forename: Kouichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanabe
authors.forename: Tatsuhiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kashii
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002331:Carnitine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005221:Fatigue / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D002945:Cisplatin; D002331:Carnitine