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Effects of L-Carnitine Supplementation in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis or Peritoneal Dialysis.

  • 2020-11-01
  • Nutrients 12(11)
    • Masako Kuwasawa-Iwasaki
    • Hiroaki Io
    • Masahiro Muto
    • Saki Ichikawa
    • Keiichi Wakabayashi
    • Reo Kanda
    • Junichiro Nakata
    • Nao Nohara
    • Yasuhiko Tomino
    • Yusuke Suzuki

Study Design

Type
Clinical Trial
Population
80 Japanese outpatients (62 hemodialysis (HD) patients and 18 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients)
Methods
Oral L-carnitine (600 mg/day) for 12 months; HD patients further received intravenous L-carnitine (1000 mg three times/week) for 12 months; assessments using questionnaire and echocardiography
Duration
12 months
Funding
Unclear
  • Rigorous Journal
L-carnitine is an important factor in fatty acid metabolism, and carnitine deficiency is common in dialysis patients. This study evaluated whether L-carnitine supplementation improved muscle spasm, cardiac function, and renal anemia in dialysis patients. Eighty Japanese outpatients (62 hemodialysis (HD) patients and 18 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients) received oral L-carnitine (600 mg/day) for 12 months; the HD patients further received intravenous L-carnitine injections (1000 mg three times/week) for 12 months, amounting to 24 months of treatment. Muscle spasm incidence was assessed using a questionnaire, and cardiac function was assessed using echocardiography. Baseline free carnitine concentrations were relatively low in patients who underwent dialysis for >4 years. Total carnitine serum concentration, free carnitine, and acylcarnitine significantly increased after oral L-carnitine treatment for 12 months, and after intravenous L-carnitine injection. There was no significant improvement in muscle spasms, although decreased muscle cramping after L-carnitine treatment was reported by 31% of patients who had undergone HD for >4 years. Hemoglobin concentrations increased significantly at 12 and 24 months in the HD group. Therefore, L-carnitine may be effective for reducing muscle cramping and improving hemoglobin levels in dialysis patients, especially those who have been undergoing dialysis for >4 years.

Research Insights

  • L-Carnitine→Increased Hemoglobin Levels

    Hemoglobin concentrations increased significantly at 12 and 24 months in the HD group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day oral for 12 months and 1000 mg intravenous three times/week for 12 months
  • L-Carnitine→Reduced Muscle Cramp

    There was no significant improvement in muscle spasms

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 mg/day oral for 12 months
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