Effects of L-carnitine supplementation in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 disease: a pilot study.

2022-08-23
Pharmacological reports : PR 74(6)
- Seyed Saman Talebi
- Mehran Ghasemi
- Maryam Etminani-Esfahani
- Younes Mohammadi
- Rasool Haddadi

PubMed: 35997951
DOI: 10.1007/s43440-022-00402-y

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 75
Population: 75 patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 hospitalized in Shahid Beheshti Hospital-Hamadan, IRAN
Methods: Randomly divided into intervention (n=32) and control groups (n=43). Intervention group received 3000 mg oral L-carnitine daily in three divided doses for five days. Control group received standard hospital treatment only.
Duration: five days

Background

The present single-center clinical trial was designed to evaluate the potential benefits of L-carnitine supplementation in patients with COVID-19 disease.

Methods and patients

The study was conducted on 75 patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 hospitalized in Shahid Beheshti Hospital-Hamadan, IRAN. The participants were randomly divided into intervention (n = 32) and control groups (n = 43). The control group received their standard hospital treatment only. In addition to standard medications, the intervention group received 3000 mg oral L-carnitine daily in three divided doses for five days. The blood samples were collected and para-clinical parameters were measured at the beginning and end of the treatment. Clinical outcomes were also recorded, and data were analyzed using χ² and t-tests.

Results

Higher means of O2 saturation were observed in the intervention rather than in the control group. Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly lower in the intervention group. Furthermore, mean alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were lower in the intervention group. Also, lower mean serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was observed in the intervention group. No significant differences were observed in terms of clinical symptoms; however, six patients (14%) in the control group died due to the complications of COVID-19, while all patients in the intervention group survived.

Conclusion

Taken together, L-carnitine can be considered as a drug supplement in patients with COVID-19.

Research Insights

L-Carnitine→Improved Clinical Symptoms
No significant differences were observed in terms of clinical symptoms;
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
3000 mg oral L-carnitine daily in three divided doses for five days
L-Carnitine→Improved Oxygen Saturation
Higher means of O2 saturation were observed in the intervention rather than in the control group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
3000 mg oral L-carnitine daily in three divided doses for five days
L-Carnitine→Increased Oxygen Saturation
Higher means of O2 saturation were observed in the intervention rather than in the control group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
3000 mg oral L-carnitine daily in three divided doses for five days
L-Carnitine→Reduced Alkaline Phosphatase Level
Furthermore, mean alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were lower in the intervention group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
3000 mg oral L-carnitine daily in three divided doses for five days
L-Carnitine→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly lower in the intervention group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
3000 mg oral L-carnitine daily in three divided doses for five days
L-Carnitine→Reduced Creatine Phosphokinase Level
lower mean serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was observed in the intervention group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
3000 mg oral L-carnitine daily in three divided doses for five days
L-Carnitine→Reduced Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly lower in the intervention group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
3000 mg oral L-carnitine daily in three divided doses for five days
L-Carnitine→Reduced Lactate Dehydrogenase Level
mean alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were lower in the intervention group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
3000 mg oral L-carnitine daily in three divided doses for five days
L-Carnitine→Reduced Mortality Risk
six patients (14%) in the control group died due to the complications of COVID-19, while all patients in the intervention group survived.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
3000 mg oral L-carnitine daily in three divided doses for five days

Adverse Events Reported

L-Carnitine→mortality
No significant differences were observed in terms of clinical symptoms; however, six patients (14%) in the control group died due to the complications of COVID-19, while all patients in the intervention group survived.
Finding
No significant difference
Magnitude
six patients (14%) in the control group died due to the complications of COVID-19, while all patients in the intervention group survived
L-Carnitine→Overall tolerability
No significant differences were observed in terms of clinical symptoms
Finding
Reported