L-Carnitine supplementation combined with aerobic training does not promote weight loss in moderately obese women. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of L-carnitine in suspected acute myocardial infarction. Carnitine does not improve weight loss outcomes in valproate-treated bipolar patients consuming an energy-restricted, low-fat diet. Effects of Oral L-Carnitine Supplementation on Leptin and Adiponectin Levels and Body Weight of Hemodialysis Patients: a Randomized Clinical Trial. Randomized phase III clinical trial of a combined treatment with carnitine + celecoxib ± megestrol acetate for patients with cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome. The Effects of L‐Carnitine L‐Tartrate Supplementation on Hormonal Responses to Resistance Exercise and Recovery Effect of L-carnitine supplementation in comparison with moderate aerobic training on serum inflammatory parameters in healthy obese women. Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplementation During HCV Therapy With Pegylated Interferon-α 2b Plus Ribavirin: Effect on Work Performance; A Randomized Clinical Trial L-carnitine supplementation for the management of fatigue in patients with cancer: an eastern cooperative oncology group phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. L-carnitine supplementation in hemodialysis patients. Results of a single blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to study the effect of intravenous L-carnitine supplementation on health-related quality of life in Indian patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Safety, tolerability and symptom outcomes associated with L-carnitine supplementation in patients with cancer, fatigue, and carnitine deficiency: a phase I/II study. Effect of lysine, vitamin B(6), and carnitine supplementation on the lipid profile of male patients with hypertriglyceridemia: a 12-week, open-label, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Protective role of L-carnitine supplementation against exhaustive exercise induced oxidative stress in rats. L-carnitine supplementation and adipokines in patients with end-stage renal disease on regular hemodialysis. Safety Measures of L‐Carnitine L‐Tartrate Supplementation in Healthy Men Evaluation of the effect of intravenous l-carnitine on quality of life in chronic hemodialysis patients.
L-Carnitine ( L-C ) transports fatty acids into mitochondria for oxidation and is marketed as a weight loss supplement . In a double-blind investigation to test the weight loss efficacy of L-C , 36 moderately overweight premenopausal women were pair matched on Body Mass Index ( BMI ) and r and omly assigned to two groups ( N = 18 ) . For 8 weeks the L-C group ingested 2 g twice daily of L-C , while the placebo ( P ) group ingested the same amount of lactose . All subjects walked for 30 min ( 60 - 70 % maximum heart rate ) 4 days/week . Body composition , resting energy expenditure ( REE ) and substrate utilization were estimated before and after treatment . For the subjects who completed the study ( 15 P , 13 L-C ) , no significant changes in mean total body mass ( TBM ) , fat mass FM , and resting lipid utilization occurred over time , nor were there any significant differences between groups for any variable . Conversely REE increased significantly for all subjects , but no between group differences existed . Five of the L-C group experienced nausea or diarrhea and consequently did not complete the study . Eight weeks of L-C ingestion and walking did not significantly alter the TBM or FM of overweight women , thereby casting doubt on the efficacy of L-C supplementation for weight loss In a r and omised , double-blind placebo-controlled trial , the effects of the administration of oral L-carnitine ( 2 g/day ) for 28 days were compared in the management of 51 ( carnitine group ) and 50 ( placebo group ) patients with suspected acute myocardial infa rct ion . At study entry , the extent of cardiac disease , cardiac enzymes and lipid peroxides were comparable between the groups , although both groups showed an increase in cardiac enzymes and lipid peroxides . At the end of the 28-day treatment period , the mean infa rct size assessed by cardiac enzymes showed a significant reduction in the carnitine group compared to placebo . Electrocardiographic assessment of infa rct size revealed that the QRS-score was significantly less in the carnitine group compared to placebo ( 7.4 + /- 1.2 vs 10.7 + /- 2.0 ) , while serum aspartate transaminase and lipid peroxides showed significant reduction in the carnitine group . Lactate dehydrogenase measured on the sixth or seventh day following infa rct ion showed a smaller rise in the carnitine group compared to placebo . Angina pectoris ( 17.6 vs 36.0 % ) , New York Heart Association class III and IV heart failure plus left ventricular enlargement ( 23.4 vs 36.0 % ) and total arrhythmias ( 13.7 vs 28.0 % ) were significantly less in the carnitine group compared to placebo . Total cardiac events including cardiac deaths and nonfatal infa rct ion were 15.6 % in the carnitine group vs 26.0 % in the placebo group . It is possible that L-carnitine supplementation in patients with suspected acute myocardial infa rct ion may be protective against cardiac necrosis and complications during the first 28 days OBJECTIVES Carnitine deficiency impairs fatty acid beta-oxidation and may partly explain weight gain in valproate-treated patients . The aim of this study was to determine whether l-carnitine supplementation improves weight loss outcomes in bipolar patients taking sodium valproate .  METHODS Sixty bipolar patients with clinical ly significant weight gain thought to be related to sodium valproate , who had been taking sodium valproate for > or=6 months , were r and omized to l-carnitine ( 15 mg/kg/day ) or placebo for 26 weeks , in conjunction with a moderately energy-restricted , low-fat diet . The primary outcome measure was weight change . RESULTS l-carnitine had no effect on mean weight loss compared with placebo ( -1.9 kg versus - 0.9 kg ) ( F = 0.778 , df = 1,58 , p = 0.381 ) . The number of people in each group able to lose any weight was identical ( = 0 , p = 1.0 ) ; more patients in the carnitine group ( nine versus five ) achieved a clinical ly significant weight loss ( > or=5 % ) but this was not statistically significant ( p = 1.0 , Fisher 's exact test ) . CONCLUSIONS At the dose prescribed in this study carnitine supplementation did not improve weight loss outcomes in valproate-treated bipolar patients consuming an energy-restricted , low-fat diet INTRODUCTION Carnitine supplementation may improve the general health and quality of life of hemodialysis patients by improving adipokines levels . The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on leptin levels , adiponectin levels , and body weight of hemodialysis patients . MATERIAL S AND METHODS Fifty hemodialysis patients were r and omly divided into the carnitine group , who received oral L-carnitine , 1 g/L for 3 months , and the control group . Anthropometric measurements and serum levels of adipokines were measured at baseline and at the end of the intervention . RESULTS Forty-two participants completed the study . Serum leptin concentrations decreased after 12 weeks of the intervention in both groups , but these changes were not significant . The mean change of leptin concentration were , -1.7 ± 19.0 µg/mL and -7.1 ± 20.0 µg/mL in the carnitine group and the control group , respectively ( P = .39 ) . The mean adiponectin levels at baseline and after the intervention were 8.6 ± 11.19 µg/mL and 9.8 ± 4.1 µg/mL in the carnitine group ( P = .67 ) and 5.0 ± 2.5 µg/mL and 11.2 ± 5.4 µg/mL in the control group , respectively ( P < .001 ) . Serum adiponectin levels increased significantly in the control group only . The decrease in body mass index was not significant . CONCLUSIONS This study showed that a daily supplementation of 1000 mg oral syrup of L-carnitine for 12 weeks did not affect leptin and adiponectin levels or the body weight or body mass index of hemodialysis patients BACKGROUND & AIMS A phase III , r and omized non-inferiority study was carried out to compare a two-drug combination ( including nutraceuticals , i.e. antioxidants ) with carnitine + celecoxib ± megestrol acetate for the treatment of cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome ( CACS ) : the primary endpoints were increase of lean body mass ( LBM ) and improvement of total daily physical activity . Secondary endpoint was : increase of physical performance tested by grip strength and 6-min walk test . METHODS Sixty eligible patients were r and omly assigned to : arm 1 , L-carnitine 4 g/day + Celecoxib 300 mg/day or arm 2 , L-carnitine 4 g/day + celecoxib 300 mg/day + megestrol acetate 320 mg/day , all orally . All patients received as basic treatment polyphenols 300 mg/day , lipoic acid 300 mg/day , carbocysteine 2.7 g/day , Vitamin E , A , C. Treatment duration was 4 months . Planned sample size was 60 patients . RESULTS The results did not show a significant difference between tre atment arms in both primary and secondary endpoints . Analysis of changes from baseline showed that LBM ( by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and by L3 computed tomography ) increased significantly in both arms as well as physical performance assessed by 6MWT . Toxicity was quite negligible and comparable between arms . CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study showed a non-inferiority of arm 1 ( two-drug combination ) vs arm 2 ( two-drug combination + megestrol acetate ) . Therefore , this simple , feasible , effective , safe , low cost with favorable cost-benefit profile , two-drug approach could be suggested in the clinical practice to implement CACS treatment The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of L-carnitine L-tartrate ( LCLT ) supplementation using a balanced , cross-over , placebo-controlled research design on the anabolic hormone response ( i.e. , testosterone [ T ] , insulin-like growth factor-I , insulin-like growth factor-binding pro-tein-3 [ IGFBP-3 ] , and immunofunctional and immunoreac-tive growth hormone [ GHif and GHir ] ) to acute resistance exercise . Ten healthy , recreationally weight-trained men ( mean ± SD age 23.7 ± 2.3 years , weight 78.7 ± 8.5 kg , and height 179.2 ± 4.6 cm ) volunteered and were matched , and after 3 weeks of supplementation ( 2 g LCLT per day ) , fasting morning blood sample s were obtained on six consecutive days ( D1-D6 ) . Subjects performed a squat protocol ( 5 sets of 15–20 repetitions ) on D2 . During the squat protocol , blood sample s were obtained before exercise and 0 , 15 , 30 , 120 , and 180 minutes postexercise . After a 1-week washout period , subjects consumed the other supplement for a 3-week period , and the same experimental protocol was repeated using the exact same procedures . Expected exercise-induced increases in all of the hormones were observed for GHir , GHif , IGFBP-3 , and T. Over the recovery period , LCLT reduced the amount of exercise-induced muscle tissue damage , which was assessed via magnetic resonance imaging scans of the thigh . LCLT supplementation significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased IGFBP-3 concentrations prior to and at 30 , 120 , and 180 minutes after acute exercise . No other direct effects of LCLT supplementation were observed on the absolute concentrations of the hormones examined , but with more undamaged tissue , a greater number of intact receptors would be available for hormonal interactions . These data support the use of LCLT as a recovery supplement for hypoxic exercise and lend further insights into the hormonal mechanisms that may help to mediate quicker recovery AIM Obesity is an important worldwide public health problem and considered a disease of chronic low- grade inflammation . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation in comparison with moderate aerobic exercise training on serum inflammatory parameters in healthy obese women . METHODS In this double-blind r and omized controlled clinical trial , 44 obese women were r and omly assigned to 4 groups ( N.=11 ) as follows : 1 : L-carnitine supplementation ( 2 g/day ) ( CAR ) , 2 : aerobic training + placebo ( EXR+PLA ) , 3 : L-carnitine supplementation + aerobic training ( CAR+EXR ) and 4 : placebo ( PLA ) . All intervention periods were eight weeks and subjects of aerobic training groups underwent 8-week aerobic training protocol ( 3 sessions a week [ 24 sessions ] ) . Body Mass Index , daily dietary intake and serum free L-carnitine , IL-6 , high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( Hs-CRP ) and IL-10 levels of subjects were measured before and after interventions . RESULTS Interventions had no significant effects on body weight , BMI , daily dietary intake and serum IL-10 levels of subjects in all groups . Serum free L-carnitine concentration increased significantly after interventions in CAR and CAR+EXR groups . Significant decreases of IL-6 were observed in EXR+PLA and CAR+EXR groups compared with placebo group . L-carnitine supplementation plus aerobic training led to significant decrease of serum Hs-CRP levels in CAR+EXR group compared with baseline values . CONCLUSION L-carnitine supplementation did not affect serum IL-6 , Hs-CRP and IL-10 levels in obese women .  Aerobic training alone or in combination with L-carnitine had favorable effect on serum Il-6 and Hs-CRP levels as markers of inflammation in studied subjects Background : The health status of employees with chronic hepatitis C has major implication s for organizations and labour market . Objectives : To assess the effects of Acetyl-L-Carnitine administration on work productivity , daily activity , and fatigue in subjects with chronic hepatitis C treated with Pegylated-Interferon-α2b and Ribavirin .  Patients and Methods : In this prospect i ve , r and omized , placebo controlled , double blind clinical trial , 30 subjects ( Group A ) with chronic hepatitis , received Pegylated-Interferon-α2b ( 1.5 mg/kg per week ) plus Ribavirin and placebo , while 32 subjects ( Group B ) received the same dosage of Pegylated-Interferon-α2b plus Ribavirin plus 2 g Acetyl-L-Carnitine twice per day , for 12 months . Work productivity loss , impairment in daily activities , presenteeism , absenteeism , have been assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment question naire . We also evaluated severity of fatigue , mental fatigue and physical fatigue . Results : Significant difference were observed in physical fatigue , mental fatigue and severity of fatigue , aspartate aminotransferase , alanine aminotransferase , and viremia after 12 months treatment . In Group B we observed a significant decrease of presenteeism and daily activity impairment after 6 months , 12 months and at follow up . A significant increase of work productivity was observed after 12 months and at follow up . Conclusions : Office workers with chronic hepatitis C , treated with Pegylated-Interferon-α2b plus Ribavirin , had work performance loss . In subjects treated with Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplementation we observed increased daily activity and reduced presenteeism and fatigue . Acetyl-L-Carnitinegroup had a smaller reduction of productivity comparing to placebo group PURPOSE L-carnitine , a popular complementary and alternative medicine product , is used by patients with cancer for the treatment of fatigue , the most commonly reported symptom in this patient population . The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation as a treatment for fatigue in patients with cancer . PATIENTS AND METHODS In this double-blind , placebo-controlled trial , patients with invasive malignancies and fatigue were r and omly assigned to either 2 g/d of L-carnitine oral supplementation or matching placebo . The primary end point was the change in average daily fatigue from baseline to week 4 using the Brief Fatigue Inventory ( BFI ) . RESULTS Three hundred seventy-six patients were r and omly assigned to treatment with L-carnitine supplementation or placebo . L-carnitine supplementation result ed in significant carnitine plasma level increase by week 4 . The primary outcome , fatigue , measured using the BFI , improved in both arms compared with baseline ( L-carnitine : -0.96 , 95 % CI , -1.32 to -0.60 ; placebo : -1.11 , 95 % CI -1.44 to -0.78 ) . There were no statistically significant differences between arms ( P = .57 ) . Secondary outcomes , including fatigue measured by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue instrument , depression , and pain , did not show significant difference between arms . A separate analysis of patients who were carnitine-deficient at baseline did not show statistically significant improvement in fatigue or other outcomes after L-carnitine supplementation . CONCLUSION Four weeks of 2 g of L-carnitine supplementation did not improve fatigue in patients with invasive malignancies and good performance status L-Carnitine supplementation has shown beneficial effects in patients on hemodialysis . We studied 36 ESRD adult patients with a mean age of 47.5 + /- 15 years to evaluate the effect of L-Carnitine supplementation on hemoglobin , lipid levels and physical performance in patients on hemodialysis . The study group consisted of 18 r and omly selected patients who received L-Carnitine 15 mg/kg  and the  control group consisted of 18 r and omly selected patients who received equal volume of normal saline as a placebo three times a week for six months . Laboratory tests were performed at baseline , then monthly until the end of the study . A significant increase in the hemoglobin ( Hb ) and hematocrit ( HCT ) in the presence of unchanged doses of erythropoietin hormonal supplementation was observed ( pre 79 + /- 7.5 gm/l , post 103 + /- 10.6 gm/l ) P < 0.001 ( pre 24+/- 2 % , post 33 + /- 4 % ) P < 0.001 respectively ) in the L-Carnitine treated group . Similarly total serum cholesterol ( TCL ) and serum triglyceride ( TG ) levels showed a statistically significant decrease in the study group , TCL ( pre 4.6 + /- 1.2 , post 3.7 + /- 1.1 mmol/L ) , P < 0.03 and TG ( pre 3.1 + /- 1.7 , post 1.8 + /- 0.6 mmol/L ) P < 0.004 . The physical performance as assessed by mild and moderate exercise showed a trend towards improvement . There was a significant increase in free carnitine and total carnitine levels in the L-Carnitine treated group . In conclusion , these results demostrate positive effect of L-Carnitine supplementation in the hemodialysis patients marked by an increase in Hb , HCT , a decrease in TCL and TG and improved physical performance in comparison to the control group BACKGROUND Carnitine insufficiency is responsible for various co-morbid conditions in maintenance hemodialysis ( MHD ) patients .  L-carnitine supplementation is expected to improve the quality of life ( QoL ) of patients on MHD . AIMS To study the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on QoL of Indian patients on MHD . SETTING AND DESIGN This was a single ( patient ) blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted on patients on MHD attending hemodialysis unit of the study center . MATERIAL S AND METHODS Twenty patients on MHD suffering from hemodialysis-related symptoms were r and omly assigned to receive intravenous L-carnitine 20 mg/kg or placebo after every dialysis session for 8 weeks . SF36 ( Short Form with 36 questions ) score for QoL , laboratory investigations and dialysis related symptoms were recorded at baseline and after 8 weeks . Improvement in QoL , laboratory parameters and dialysis related symptoms in the two groups after 8 weeks was compared . STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Depending on normality of data , unpaired T test or Mann Whitney U test was used for comparison of change ( 8 weeks-baseline ) in SF36 scores and laboratory parameters observed in the two groups . RESULTS L-carnitine supplementation increased total SF36 score by 18.29 + /- 12.71 ( 95 % CI : 10.41 to 26 ) while placebo result ed in reduction in total SF36 score by 6.4 + /- 16.39 ( 95 % CI : -16.59 to 3.73 ) . L-carnitine also result ed in significant increase in hemoglobin and serum albumin and decrease in serum creatinine as compared to placebo . More patients were relieved of dialysis related symptoms in L-carnitine group . CONCLUSION Intravenous L-carnitine supplementation improves QoL in patients on MHD Carnitine deficiency is among the many metabolic disturbances that may contribute to fatigue in patients with cancer . Administration of exogenous L-carnitine may hold promise as a treatment for this common symptom . Little is known about L-carnitine  safety , tolerability , and dose-response in patients with cancer . We conducted a Phase I/II open-label trial to assess the safety and tolerability of exogenous L-carnitine and clarify the safe dose range associated with symptom effects for future controlled trials . Adult patients with advanced cancer , carnitine deficiency ( free carnitine < 35 for males or < 25 microM/L for females , or acyl/free carnitine ratio > 0.4 ) , moderate to severe fatigue , and a Karnofsky Performance Status ( KPS ) score > or = 50 were entered by groups of at least three into a st and ard maximum tolerated dose design . Each successive group received a higher dose of L-carnitine ( 250 , 750 , 1250 , 1750 , 2250 , 2750 , 3000 mg/day , respectively ) , administered in two daily doses for 7 days . To compare symptom outcomes before and after supplementation , patients completed vali date d measures of fatigue ( Brief Fatigue Inventory [ BFI ] ) , depressed mood ( Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [ CES-D ] ) , quality of sleep ( Epworth Sleeplessness Scale [ ESS ] ) , and KPS at baseline and 1 week later . Of the 38 patients screened for carnitine levels , 29 were deficient ( 76 % ) . Twenty-seven patients participated ( " intention to treat , ITT " ) ( 17 males , 10 females ) , and 21 completed the study ( " completers " ) ; 17 of these patients ( " responders , " mean+/-[SD ] age=57.9+/-15 ) had increased carnitine levels at the end of the supplementation period . The highest dose achieved was 3000 mg/day . No patient experienced significant side effects and no toxicities were noted . Analysis of all the patients accrued ( ITT , n=27 ) showed a total carnitine increase from 32.8+/-10 to 54.3+/-23 microM/L ( P<0.001 ) and free carnitine increase from 26.8+/-8 to 44.1+/-17 microM/L ( P<0.001 ) . BFI decreased significantly , from 66+/-12 to 39.7+/-26 ( P<0.001 ) ; ESS decreased from 12.9+/-12 to 9+/-6 ( P=0.001 ) ; and CES-D decreased from 29.2+/-12 to 19+/-12 ( P<0.001 ) . A separate analysis of the 17 " responders " showed a dose-response relationship for total- ( r=0.54 , P=0.03 ) , free-carnitine ( r=0.56 , P=0.02 ) levels , and fatigue ( BFI ) scores ( r=-0.61 , P=0.01 ) . These findings suggest that l-carnitine may be safely administered at doses up to 3000 mg/day and that positive effects may be more likely at relatively higher doses in this range . This study provides the basis for the design of future placebo-controlled studies of l-carnitine supplementation for cancer-related fatigue BACKGROUND Fat metabolism is known to be altered in hypertriglyceridemia . Fat oxidation requires carnitine , which can be obtained either from the diet ( animal or dairy products ) or through synthesis in the body using both lysine and vitamin B(6 ) . OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of lysine , vitamin B(6 ) , and carnitine supplementation on both glycemia and the lipid profiles , specifically triglyceride ( TG ) levels , in men with hypertriglyceridemia . METHODS This 12-week , r and omized , placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at a Lebanese medical center . A total of 85 hypertriglyceridemic ( TG > 150 mg/dL ) male patients were r and omized to 1 of 5 groups and given supplements of lysine ( 1 g/d ) , vitamin B(6 ) ( 50 mg/d ) , lysine ( 1 g/d ) + vitamin B(6 ) ( 50 mg/d ) , carnitine ( 1 g/d ) , or placebo for 12 weeks . The lipid profile ( TG , total cholesterol , LDL-C , and HDL-C ) and fasting plasma glucose levels were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 weeks . RESULTS Adults ( ∼50 years ) Lebanese males from a low socioeconomic status in Beirut were given the appropriate supplements . Vitamin B(6 ) supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in total cholesterol and HDL-C of ∼10 % . In addition , plasma TG was reduced by 36.6 mg/dL at 6 weeks , whereas levels in the placebo group increased by 18 mg/dL ; this difference failed to reach statistical significance . No major changes in the lipid profile were observed in the lysine and carnitine groups or when lysine was added to vitamin B(6 ) . CONCLUSION Vitamin B(6 ) supplementation in these male patients with hypertriglyceridemia reduced plasma total cholesterol and HDL-C concentrations The objective of this study was to investigate temperature dependent effects of oral l-carnitine supplementation on exhaustive exercise induced oxidative damage in rats . 42 male Spraque Dawley rats were r and omly divided into seven experimental groups . These groups were formed as three non-carnitine exercise groups , three carnitine-exercise groups and a sedentary group . l-carnitine was given intraperitoneally to the carnitine-exercise groups 1h before the exercise in 100mg/kg . Blood was collected to measure paraoxonase-1 ( PON1 ) activity , plasma malondialdehyde ( MDA ) , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) and cholesterol concentrations . These biomarkers were measured in venous blood sample s collected before and after the rats swam in pools at different water temperatures ( 18 ° C , 28 ° C and 38 ° C ) . In the non-carnitine group , exercise caused a significant decrease in PON1 activity and a significant elevation in MDA concentration at 28 ° C compared to the sedentary group . No significant alterations were evidence d in LDL and cholesterol concentrations upon exercise . The decrease in PON1 activity became higher with increasing temperature whereas the elevation in MDA levels increased at 18 ° C . In the l-carnitine supplementation group , recovery in PON1 activity was observed significant at 28 ° C and very significant at 38 ° C . MDA concentration was almost the same with that of the non-carnitine group at 18 and 38 ° C , but it significantly decreased at 28 ° C . Considering the recovery in PON1 and MDA levels at 28 ° C , which is the temperature of the sedentary group ; our results suggest that l-carnitine supplementation has a protective role on exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress . Findings of this study also demonstrate influences of thermal stress on these parameters during exhaustive exercise Chronic hemodialysis ( HD ) patients frequently encounter carnitine depletion , elevated adipose tissue-derived hormones/cytokines , that may contribute to accelerated arteriosclerosis . 10 non-diabetic HD patients were studied over 28 weeks . In the 12 weeks treatment period 1 g L-carnitine was given iv after each HD session . Measurements of plasma free- and acylcarnitines , insulin , leptin , adiponectin , resistin and ghrelin were performed at baseline , at weeks 2 , 4 , 8 , 12 ( treatment period ) and at weeks 24 - 28 ( post-treatment period ) . L-carnitine supplementation result ed in progressive increase of free- and acylcarnitine levels . Plasma levels of insulin , resistin , leptin and ghrelin remained at the already elevated baseline values . L-carnitine therapy induced a significant increase in plasma adiponectin from 20.2 ± 12.7 μg/ml ( baseline ) to 32.7 ± 20.2 μg/ml in week 2 ( p<0.05 ) and 35.4 ± 19.6 μg/ml in week 12 ( p < 0.03 ) , which remained unchanged in the post-carnitine period . Plasma insulin levels correlated positively with leptin ( r = 0.525 , p<0.0001 ) and resistin ( r = 0.284 , p<0.005 ) ; adiponectin levels correlated inversely with leptin ( r = -0.255 , p<0.02 ) and resistin ( r = -0.213 , p<0.04 ) irrespective of carnitine status . Plasma levels of adipokines and related hormones are greatly elevated in patients on regular HD  . L-carnitine administration further augmented the plasma levels of protective adiponectin , therefore it may have a role in preventing cardiovascular complications of uremia The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of ingestion of L-CARNIPURE ( L-carnitine L-tartrate [ LCLT ] ) on alterations in a complete blood cell profile and in circulating metabolic enzymes . Using a balanced , placebo ( P ) , cross-over design ( 1 week washout ) , 10 healthy , active men volunteered and acted as their own control taking either a  P or LCLT supplement ( 3 gday−1 ) for 3 weeks  . Postabsorptive morning blood sample s were obtained both before and after 21 days of P and LCLT supplementation . Serum sample s were analyzed for clinical chemistries including a complete chemistry panel with markers of liver and renal function along with various minerals and electrolytes . In addition , whole blood was analyzed for a complete blood count with differential . It was determined that there were no statistically significant differences between the LCLT and the placebo conditions for any of the variables examined . The results of this study suggest that LCLT , when used as a dietary supplement , has no adverse effects on metabolic and hemato-logical safety variables in normally healthy en AIM The aim of this study was to determine the effect of l-carnitine on quality of life ( QOL ) in chronic hemodialysis patients . PATIENTS AND METHODS This trial used a r and omized , prospect i ve , placebo-controlled , double-blind , crossover design . Inclusion criteria were patients who were older than 18 years , had been on dialysis for a minimum of one year , and had at least two of the following symptoms : intradialytic hypotension , muscle cramping , lack of energy , muscle weakness or myopathy , cardiomyopathy , or lack of responsiveness to erythropoietin ( EPO ) . Patients were excluded if they were mentally incompetent to complete a QOL question naire . Sixteen patients were r and omized to receive either l-carnitine ( 20 mg/kg ) or placebo ( normal saline ) after each dialysis session for 12 weeks , followed by a 6-week washout , then the crossover therapy for 12 weeks . The Kidney Dialysis Question naire was the assessment tool used to evaluate QOL . RESULTS There was no significant effect of l-carnitine on QOL irrespective of treatment order . There were also no differences found in any of the secondary outcomes including incidence of muscle cramping , intradialytic hypotension , EPO requirements or hemoglobin . Adverse effects consisted of gastrointestinal symptoms , with a similar incidence between l-carnitine and placebo . CONCLUSION L-carnitine did not have a benefit on QOL in our patient population
No significant effect was seen for waist circumference ( WC ) and body fat percent .
A non-linear dose-response association was seen between l-carnitine supplementation and body weight reduction ( P < 0.001 ) suggesting that ingestion of 2000 mg l-carnitine per day provides the maximum effect in adults .
This association was not seen for BMI , WC and body fat percent .
CONCLUSIONS l-carnitine supplementation provides a modest reducing effect on body weight , BMI and fat mass , especially among adults with overweight/obesity
BACKGROUND AND AIM Clinical evidence which investigated the effects of l-carnitine , a vitamin-like substance , on weight loss had led to inconsistent results .
This study therefore aim ed to examine the effect of l-carnitine supplementation on body weight and composition by including the maximum number of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) and to conduct a dose-response analysis , for the first time .