Effect of L-carnitine on lipid biomarkers of oxidative stress in chronic hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial: Effect of L-carnitine on lipid biomarkers of oxidative stress in chronic hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial

Authors

Shokoh Shayanpour Chronic Renal Failure Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Seyyed Seyfollah Beladi Mousavi Physiology Research Center and Department of Physiology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute
Hossain Karimpourian Physiology Research Center and Department of Physiology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute
Khojasteh Hoseinynejad a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:195:"Physiology Research Center and Department of Physiology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute";}
Kambiz Ahmadi Angali Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

Keywords:

L-carnitine, Malondialdehyde, low-density lipoprotein, end-stage kidney disease, hemodialysis

Abstract

Objective: This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine on serum levels of lipid biomarkers of oxidative stress in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Methods: From a total of 90 patients with end-stage kidney disease enrolled in this trial, 87 patients completed the study. L-carnitine tablets (250 mg/T) dissolved in 30 mL water (25 mg/kg) were administered orally twice daily before meals for a period of 3 months in the intervention group (n=44). Instead, the controls (n=43) received placebo. Before and 12 weeks after treatment, serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and other markers were measured.

Results: The mean serum levels of MDA after hemodialysis (before L-carnitine therapy) were respectively 5.64±2.04 and 5.78±2.12 µmol/L in the intervention and control groups, respectively, which were not statistically different from the levels before hemodialysis (5.60±2.05 and 5.74±2.16 µmol/L, respectively, p>0.05). The reduction in MDA levels after L-carnitine therapy was significantly greater in the intervention group vs. controls (5.17±2.04 vs. 5.60±2.13 µmol/L, p<0.001). In addition, the reduction in LDL levels after treatment was significantly more evident in the intervention group compared with that in the controls (p<0.001). The dose consumption of erythropoietin decreased far more in the intervention group (from; 8000±520 to 3750±418 unite/week) than in the control group (from; 8000±318 to 6000±528) after 5 months of follow-up (p=0.029).

Conclusion: Oral administration of L-carnitine in chronic hemodialysis patients may remarkably modulate lipid marker levels of oxidative stress and reduce the dose consumption of erythropoietin without any side effects.

Effect of L-carnitine on lipid biomarkers of oxidative stress in chronic hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial