Modulatory effects of l-carnitine plus l-acetyl-carnitine on neuroendocrine control of hypothalamic functions in functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA).
- 2017-06-02
- Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology 33(12)
- Alessandro D Genazzani
- Giulia Despini
- Adam Czyzyk
- Agnieszka Podfigurna
- Tommaso Simoncini
- Blazej Meczekalski
- PubMed: 28573875
- DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2017.1332587
Study Design
- Type
- Clinical Trial
- Sample size
- n = 27
- Population
- patients (n = 27) with FHA
- Methods
- combined integrative treatment for 12 weeks of LAC (250 mg/die) and l-carnitine (500 mg/die)
- Duration
- 12 weeks
Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) is a relatively frequent disease due to the combination of metabolic, physical, or psychological stressors. It is characterized by the low endogenous GnRH-induced gonadotropin secretion, thus triggering the ovarian blockade and a hypoestrogenic condition. Up to now various therapeutical strategies have been proposed, both using hormonal treatment as well as neuroactive compounds. Since carnitine, namely l-acetyl-carnitine (LAC), has been demonstrated to be effective in the modulation of the central hypothalamic control of GnRH secretion, we aimed to evaluate whether a combined integrative treatment for 12 weeks of LAC (250 mg/die) and l-carnitine (500 mg/die) was effective in improving the endocrine and metabolic pathways in a group of patients (n = 27) with FHA. After the treatment, interval mean LH plasma levels increased while those of cortisol and amylase decreased significantly. When patients were subdivided according to baseline LH levels, only hypo-LH patients showed the significant increase of LH plasma levels and the significant decrease of both cortisol and amylase plasma levels. The increased 17OHP/cortisol ratio, as index of the adrenal activity, demonstrated the reduced stress-induced adrenal activity. In conclusion, our data sustain the hypothesis that the integrative administration of LAC plus l-carnitine reduced both the metabolic and the neuroendocrine impairment of patients with FHA.
Research Insights
The increased 17OHP/cortisol ratio, as index of the adrenal activity, demonstrated the reduced stress-induced adrenal activity.
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 500 mg/die
After the treatment, interval mean LH plasma levels increased...
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Moderate
- Dose
- 500 mg/day
...those of cortisol and amylase decreased significantly.
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Moderate
- Dose
- 500 mg/day
...those of cortisol and amylase decreased significantly...the increased 17OHP/cortisol ratio, as index of the adrenal activity, demonstrated the reduced stress-induced adrenal activity.
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Moderate
- Dose
- 500 mg/day