The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on insulin resistance, sex hormone-binding globulin and lipid profile in overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.
- 2021-11-02
- European journal of nutrition 61(3)
- Abbas Ali Sangouni
- Fatemeh Pakravanfar
- Akram Ghadiri-Anari
- Azadeh Nadjarzadeh
- Hossein Fallahzadeh
- Mahdieh Hosseinzadeh
- PubMed: 34727201
- DOI: 10.1007/s00394-021-02659-0
Study Design
- Type
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- Population
- 62 overweight/obese women with PCOS
- Methods
- randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial, 1000 mg/day L-carnitine or placebo (1000 mg starch) for 12 weeks
- Blinding
- Double-blind
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Funding
- Unclear
- Rigorous Journal
Purpose
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder among reproductive-age women. Insulin resistance and dyslipidemia are linked to PCOS. L-Carnitine supplementation as a management strategy for women with PCOS has been proposed. The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on insulin resistance, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and lipid profile in overweight/obese women with PCOS was investigated.Methods
This randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial, was conducted on 62overweight/obese women with PCOS. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups to receive 1000 mg/day L-carnitine or placebo (1000 mg starch) for 12 weeks.Results
L-Carnitine supplementation compared to the placebo showed a significant improvement in insulin [- 0.7 (- 7.3 to 4.0) vs. 0.7 (- 3.0 to 5.2); P = 0.001], homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance [- 0.4 (- 1.7 to 1.1) vs. 0.0 (- 0.7 to 1.3); P = 0.002], quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+ 0.01 ± 0.02 vs. - 0.01 ± 0.01; P = 0.02) and a non-significant change toward improvement in SHBG (+ 11.5 ± 40.2 vs. - 3.2 ± 40.2; P = 0.2). However, there was no significant differences between the two groups in serum levels of fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (P > 0.05).Conclusion
12-week L-carnitine supplementation in overweight or obese women with PCOS ameliorate insulin resistance, but has no effect on SHBG and lipid profile. Studies with higher dosages and duration of L-carnitine intake are required. The trial was registered on 30 December 2019 at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20191016045131N1.Trial registration
Registered on 30th December 2019 at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20191016045131N1).Research Insights
there was no significant differences between the two groups in serum levels of fasting plasma glucose (P > 0.05)
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 1000 mg/day
L-Carnitine supplementation compared to the placebo showed a significant improvement in insulin [- 0.7 (- 7.3 to 4.0) vs. 0.7 (- 3.0 to 5.2); P = 0.001], homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance [- 0.4 (- 1.7 to 1.1) vs. 0.0 (- 0.7 to 1.3); P = 0.002], quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+ 0.01 ± 0.02 vs. - 0.01 ± 0.01; P = 0.02)
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 1000 mg/day
a non-significant change toward improvement in SHBG (+ 11.5 ± 40.2 vs. - 3.2 ± 40.2; P = 0.2)
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 1000 mg/day
there was no significant differences between the two groups in serum levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (P > 0.05)
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 1000 mg/day
there was no significant differences between the two groups in serum levels of total cholesterol (P > 0.05)
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 1000 mg/day
there was no significant differences between the two groups in serum levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P > 0.05)
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 1000 mg/day
there was no significant differences between the two groups in serum levels of triglyceride (P > 0.05)
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 1000 mg/day