ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Is there a Role for Oral L-Carnitine Therapy in Anemia and Cardiac Dysfunction Management in Egyptian Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis?
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1
Nephrology department Urology and Nephrology center, Mansoura University, Egypt.
2
Cardiology Department, Mansoura University, Egypt.
3
Internal
Medicine, Nephrology Department,
Faculty of Medicine, Tanta
University, Egypt
Online publication date: 2009-04-15
Publication date: 2009-04-15
Corresponding author
Alaa A. Sabry
Lecturer of Nephrology and Internal medicine Mansoura Urology and Nephrology
Center, Mansoura University, Egypt.
Fax +2/050/2263717
Eur J Gen Med 2009;6(2):60-68
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Aim: L-carnitine is a short organic hydrosoluble molecule and is
present in biological materials like free carnitine and acylcarnitines,
which constitute the carnitine system. Long-term intermittent
hemodialysis is associated with a reduction in plasma and
tissue L-carnitine levels. Available studies on carnitine supplementation
suggest the use of this molecule in dialysis, especially
for those patients with cardiac complications, impaired exercise
and functional capacities, and increased episodes of hypotension.
Moreover, in some patients, the improved stability of erythrocyte
membranes with L-carnitine supplementation may decrease erythropoietin
requirements, thus leading to a reduction of dialytic
costs. To study if there a possible advantageous effects for L–
carnitine oral supplementation in anemia and cardiac dysfunction
management in a cohort of Egyptian patients on maintenance
hemodialysis.
Methods: Fifty-five patients with chronic renal failure on maintenance
hemodialysis were classified into 2 groups: L-carnitine group:
20 patients (12 male and 8 female, mean age 47.66±17.73 years,
hemodialysis duration 51.36±18.14 months, subjected to three
sessions/week reaching a Kt/V of 1.49±0.37) they received oral
L-carnitine therapy 1.500 mg/day and control group: 35 patients
(24 male and 11 female, mean age 37.9±14.7 years, hemodialysis
duration 53.83±15.17 months, subjected to three sessions/week
reaching Kt/V of 1.33±0.23). Both groups were on Erythropoietin
therapy and IV iron whenever indicated. Echogardiographic studies
were performed before and at the end of the study.
Results: Serum hemoglobin were comparable in the L-carnitine
group and control group at the start and six months after therapy
(8.63±1.77 and 9.39±2.02 gm/dl, p= 0.18, 10.49±1.65 and
10.92±2.48 gm/dL p= 0.76 respectively). The weekly maintenance
dose of Erythropoietin in spite of being lower in L-carnitine group
(80.16±35.61 units/kg) compared to control group (91.9±38.21 units/kg) it does not reach a statistical significance (p= 0.20). No significant improvement could be observed
in echogardiographic findings in the L-carnitine group after therapy.
Conclusion: The role of L-carnitine in hemodialysis patients is questionable. Our study revealed no observed
significant improvement in echocardiographic findings 6 months after therapy. However, -a statistically non
significant-reduction in Erythropoietin dose was achieved in the L-carnitine-treated compared to the control
group while maintaining comparable target hemoglobin in both groups. Long-term studies including larger
number of patients are required to clarify its role in hemodialysis patients.