Introduction A trimethylated amino acid, roughly similar in structure to choline, L-carnitine is a cofactor required for transformation of free long-chain fatty acids into acylcarnitines, and for their subsequent transport into the mitochondrial matrix, where they undergo beta-oxidation for cellular energy production. Conditions that appear to benefit from exogenous supplementation of L-carniti...

AIM This study was performed to test the hypothesis that urinary levels of L-carnitine and its derivatives are enhanced in children and adolescents with hypertension and also check if analyzed parameters may serve as early markers of subclinical renal damage. METHODS The study included 112 children and adolescents (67 males and 45 females) aged median 10-18 years. Participants were divided in...

BACKGROUND It is well known that the physical activity in chronic hemodialysis patients decreases compared to that in normal subjects. In order to investigate the effects of L-carnitine on physical capacity and lipid metabolism, a cardiopulmonary exercise test using a bicycle ergometer was performed before and after 3 months of oral L-carnitine supplementation under double-blind conditions. M...

We have previously reported that weanling rats fed a 20% wheat gluten diet, limiting in lysine and containing no detectable carnitine, have significantly lower levels of carnitine in skeletal and heart muscle than rats receiving adequate dietary lysine. Rats on 20% wheat gluten diets were administered appropriate levels of DL-[6-i*C]lysine, L-[mefhyZ3H]methionine, t-N-[mefhyZ-3H]trimethyl-L-lys...

The usefulness of supplementary dietary L-carnitine as an immunomodulator to increase antigen-specific antibody levels was analysed in 2-6-week-old broilers. The chickens received commercial feeds either unsupplemented (starter feed 17.8 mg carnitine/kg, finisher diet 22.9 mg carnitine/kg) or supplemented with L-carnitine (100 mg carnitine/kg added to feed). At 14 d of age, both groups were dis...

BACKGROUND L-carnitine has protective effects against various types of injury. This study was designed to evaluate the beneficial effects of L-carnitine on pancreatic and renal injuries caused by cyclosporine (CsA). METHODS Rats maintained on a low sodium diet were given vehicle (olive oil, 1 mL/kg/d), CsA (15 mg/kg/d), L-carnitine (50 or 200 mg/kg/d), or a combination of CsA and L-carnitine ...

background the most common complications during dialysis are hypotension and muscle cramps. there are many strategies to prevent and treat these complications. objectives the aim of this study is to evaluate effects of vitamin e and l-carnitine supplementation alone and in combination on intradialytic complications. patients and methods in a prospective study, 20 patients with end stage renal d...