Effects of l-carnitine infusions on inflammatory and nutritional markers in haemodialysis patients

• Published in: Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation Vol. 21; no. 11; pp. 3211 - 3214
• Main Authors: Duranay, Murat, Akay, Hatice, Yilmaz, Fatma Meriç, Şeneş, Mehmet, Tekeli, Nurçin, Yücel, Doğan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01-11-2006; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Blood Proteins - metabolism; C-Reactive Protein - biosynthesis; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Carnitine - administration & dosage; Carnitine - blood; Carnitine - physiology; CRP; Emergency and intensive care: renal failure. Dialysis management; Female; Glomerulonephritis; haemodialysis; Humans; Incidence; inflammation; Inflammation Mediators - blood; Infusions, Intravenous; Intensive care medicine; l-carnitine; Lipids - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Nephropathies. Renovascular diseases. Renal failure; nutrition; Nutritional Status; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Renal Dialysis; Serum Albumin - metabolism; Transferrin - metabolism; Urinary system; Kidney disease; Human; CRP; Urinary system disease; Hemodialysis; haemodialysis; Inflammation; L-carnitine; Carnitine; Extrarenal dialysis; nutrition; Aminoacid; Renal failure
• ISSN: 0931-0509; 1460-2385
• DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfl356

Background. Carnitine loss through dialysis membranes is shown to be related to the lack of carnitine in long-term haemodialysis patients. It has been previously reported that haemodialysis patients might have benefited from carnitine supplementation. Methods. A total of 21 chronic haemodialysis patients maintaining carnitine supplementation and 21 controls (haemodialysis patients not receiving carnitine) were included in the study. l-carnitine was used intravenously three times a week after each haemodialysis session, at a 20 mg/kg dose. C-reactive protien (CRP), lipid profile, transferrin, total protein and albumin levels were determined at baseline after 3 and 6 months of treatment, and compared with the control group. Results. CRP levels were significantly decreased in carnitine group in contrast to the increase in the control group. Transferrin, total protein and albumin levels and body mass index (BMI) of the patients rose in the carnitine group. Conclusions. There was a significant benefit of l-carnitine on CRP, transferrin, total protein and albumin levels of the haemodialysis patients.