Antiinflammatory effects of L-carnitine supplementation (1000 mg/d) in coronary artery disease patients. Effects of L-carnitine supplement on serum inflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein, lipoprotein (a), and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients with Lp (a) hyperlipoproteinemia. l-Carnitine Supplementation to Diet: A New Tool in Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis—A Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial Effect of L-carnitine supplementation in comparison with moderate aerobic training on serum inflammatory parameters in healthy obese women. Effects of L-Carnitine supplement on plasma coagulation and anticoagulation factors in hemodialysis patients Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein and interleukin-2 in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. L-carnitine infusions may suppress serum C-reactive protein and improve nutritional status in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Effects of carnitine supplementation on flow-mediated dilation and vascular inflammatory responses to a high-fat meal in healthy young adults. Carnitine Administration Reduces Cytokine Levels, Improves Food Intake, and Ameliorates Body Composition in Tumor-Bearing Rats Effects of Antioxidant Supplements Intervention on the Level of Plasma Inflammatory Molecules and Disease Severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Effects of a 1-year supplementation with cholecalciferol on interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and insulin resistance in overweight and obese subjects. Effects of nutritional supplementation combined with low-intensity exercise in malnourished patients with COPD. Randomized Trial of Carnitine for the Prevention of Perioperative Atrial Fibrillation. Mediator effects of parameters of inflammation and neurogenesis from a N-acetyl cysteine clinical-trial for bipolar depression. The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on depressive symptoms and inflammatory markers in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial Dietary alpha-linolenic acid decreases C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and interleukin-6 in dyslipidaemic patients. Effects of l-carnitine supplement on serum amyloid A and vascular inflammation markers in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE Inflammation mediators have been recognized as risk factors for the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease ( CAD ) . The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation ( LC , 1000 mg/d ) on inflammation markers in patients with CAD . METHODS We enrolled 47 patients with CAD in the study . The patients with CAD were identified by cardiac catheterization as having < 50 % stenosis of one major coronary artery . The patients were r and omly assigned to the placebo ( n = 24 ) and LC ( n = 23 ) groups and the intervention was administered for 12 wk . The levels of LC , antioxidant status ( malondialdehyde and antioxidant enzymes activities ) , and inflammation markers ( C-reactive protein [ CRP ] , interleukin [IL]-6 , and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α ) were measured . RESULTS Thirty-nine participants completed the study ( 19 placebo ; 20 LC ) . After LC supplementation , the levels of inflammation markers were significantly reduced compared with the baseline ( CRP , P < 0.01 ; IL-6 , P = 0.03 ; TNF-α , P = 0.07 ) and those in the placebo group ( CRP , P < 0.05 ; IL-6 , P = 0.04 ; TNF-α , P = 0.03 ) . The levels of inflammation markers were significantly negatively correlated with the levels of LC and antioxidant enzymes activities ( P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS We suggest that LC supplementation , due to its antioxidant effects , may have potential utility to reduce inflammation in CAD Inflammation , oxidative stress , and high concentration of serum lipoprotein ( a ) [ Lp ( a ) ] are common complications in hemodialysis patients . The present study was design ed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine supplement on serum inflammatory cytokines , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , Lp ( a ) , and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients with Lp ( a ) hyperlipoproteinemia [ hyper Lp ( a ) ] . This was an unblinded , r and omized clinical trial . Thirty-six hyper Lp ( a ) hemodialysis patients ( 23 men and 13 women ) were r and omly assigned to either a carnitine or control group . Patients in the carnitine group received 1000 mg/d oral L-carnitine for 12 weeks , whereas patients in the control group did not receive any L-carnitine supplement . At baseline and the end of week 12 , 5 mL of blood were collected after a 12- to 14-hours fast and serum free carnitine , CRP , interleukin-1β , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , tumor necrosis factor-α , Lp ( a ) , and oxidized low-density lipoprotein were measured . Serum free carnitine concentration increased significantly by 86 % in the carnitine group at the end of week 12 compared with baseline ( P<0.001 ) , while serum CRP and IL-6 showed a significant decrease of 29 % ( P<0.05 ) and 61 % ( P<0.001 ) , respectively . No significant changes were observed in serum free carnitine , CRP , and IL-6 in the control group . There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes of serum interleukin-1β , tumor necrosis factor-α , Lp ( a ) , and oxidized low-density lipoprotein concentrations . L-carnitine supplement  reduces inflammation in hemodialysis patients , but has no effect on hyper Lp ( a ) and oxidative stress OBJECTIVES : Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis ( NASH ) is a known metabolic disorder of the liver . No treatment has been conclusively shown to improve NASH or prevent disease progression . The function of L-carnitine to modulate lipid profile , glucose metabolism , oxidative stress , and inflammatory responses has been shown . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of L-carnitine 's supplementation on regression of NASH . METHODS : In patients with NASH and control subjects , we r and omly dispensed one 1-g L-carnitine tablet after breakfast plus diet and one 1 g tablet after dinner plus diet for 24 weeks or diet alone at the same dosage and regimen . We evaluated liver enzymes , lipid profile , fasting plasma glucose , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α , homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR , body mass index , and histological scores . RESULTS : At the end of the study , L-carnitine-treated patients showed significant improvements in the following parameters : aspartate aminotransferase ( P=0.000 ) , alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) ( P=0.000 ) , γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase ( γ-GT ) ( P=0.000 ) , total cholesterol ( P=0.000 ) , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) ( P=0.000 ) , high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) ( P=0.000 ) , triglycerides ( P=0.000 ) , glucose ( P=0.000 ) , HOMA-IR ( P=0.000 ) , CRP ( P=0.000 ) , TNF-α ( P=0.000 ) , and histological scores ( P=0.000 ) . CONCLUSIONS : L-carnitine supplementation to diet is useful for reducing TNF-α and CRP , and for improving liver function , glucose plasma level , lipid profile , HOMA-IR , and histological manifestations of NASH 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 : Hypercoagulability is an important risk factor for thrombosis and its complications in hemodialysis patients . This study was design ed to investigate the effects of l-carnitine supplement on plasma coagulation and anticoagulation factors in hemodialysis patients . Methods : Thirty-six hemodialysis patients were r and omly assigned to either a carnitine or a placebo group . Patients in the carnitine group received 1000 mg/day oral l-carnitine for 12 weeks , whereas patients in the placebo group received a corresponding placebo . At baseline and the end of week 12 , 5 mL blood was collected after a 12- to 14-hour fast and plasma fibrinogen concentration , activity of plasma protein C , coagulation factors V , VII , IX , and serum concentrations of tissue plasminogen activator ( tPA ) , plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 ( PAI-1 ) , free carnitine , and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) were measured . Results : In the carnitine group , mean serum free carnitine concentration increased significantly to 150 % of baseline ( p < 0.001 ) , whereas plasma fibrinogen and serum CRP had 98 mg/dL ( p < 0.01 ) and 41 % ( p < 0.01 ) significant decreases , respectively , at the end of week 12 compared with baseline . The reductions were significant compared with the placebo group ( p < 0.05 ) . No significant differences were observed between the two groups with regard to mean changes of the activity of plasma protein C , coagulation factors V , VII , IX , and serum PAI-1 to tPA ratio . Conclusion : l-Carnitine supplement reduces serum CRP , a marker of systemic inflammation , and plasma fibrinogen , an inflammation-related coagulation factor , in hemodialysis patients . Therefore , l-carnitine may play an effective role in preventing cardiovascular diseases in these patients INTRODUCTION Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can alter the inflammatory response in diabetic patients . This study aim ed to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the serum levels of C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , interleukin (IL)-2 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-α ) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients . METHODS A r and omised , double-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 84 subjects aged 45 - 85 years with at least a two-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus . Participants were r and omly assigned to the treatment or control group . Each subject in the treatment group received three omega-3 capsules per day ( eicosapentaenoic acid 1,548 mg ; docosahexaenoic acid 828 mg ; other omega-3 fatty acids 338 mg ) , while each subject in the control group received three placebo capsules ( sunflower oil 2,100 mg ) for a period of eight weeks . At the beginning of the study and post intervention , fasting blood sample s were taken and serum concentrations of IL-2 , TNF-α and CRP were assessed and compared . RESULTS Serum IL-2 and TNF-α levels were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to the controls ( p < 0.01 ) . There was no significant change in serum CRP levels . CONCLUSION Short-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation ( 3 g/day for eight weeks ) can decrease the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-2 in diabetic patients , with no change in CRP levels . Consumption of omega-3 fatty acid supplements is highly recommended to alleviate inflammation caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus Scattered reports indicate that L-carnitine may suppress proinflammatory cytokines in sick individuals without renal disease and may improve protein synthesis or nitrogen balance either in patients without renal disease or in maintenance hemodialysis ( MHD ) or chronic peritoneal dialysis patients . We conducted an experimental study in MHD patients to evaluate the effects of L-carnitine treatment on inflammatory and protein-energy nutritional status .  MHD patients were assigned to receive intravenous injections of L-carnitine 20 mg/kg ( n = 48 ) or placebo ( n = 65 ) thrice weekly at the end of each hemodialysis treatment for 6 months . The carnitine-treated group showed a statistically significant decrease in serum C-reactive protein and increase in serum albumin and transferrin , blood hemoglobin , and body mass index . Conversely , in the placebo-treated group , a significant decrease was reported for serum albumin , serum transferrin , and body mass index , whereas the other considered measures did not change significantly . These preliminary findings suggest that in MHD patients , L-carnitine therapy may suppress inflammation , particularly among those patients with C-reactive protein > or =3 mg/dL , and may improve protein-energy nutritional status Because carnitine has been shown to decrease oxidative stress and improve endothelial cell functioning , we examined the effects of carnitine supplementation on postpr and ial flow-mediated dilation ( FMD ) and circulating biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress after a high-fat meal . A r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , crossover study design was used . Thirty men and women ( age 30 + /- 8 year , body mass 72.9 + /- 17.1 kg , body fat 13.0 + /- 6.4 % ) participated in 2 vascular testing days , each preceded by 3 weeks of supplementation with either 2 g/day of L-Carnitine ( L-Carnitine L-Tartrate ) or placebo with a 3- to 5-week washout period between trials . Brachial artery FMD in response to 5 minutes of upper arm occlusion and circulating markers of oxidative stress and inflammation were measured in the fasting state and after a st and ardized high-fat meal . After 3 weeks of supplementation , peak FMD in the fasting state was similar between the carnitine and placebo trials , averaging 6.6 % . Peak FMD during the postpr and ial period decreased to 5.8 % at 1.5 hours during placebo and increased to 7.7 % during the carnitine trial ( n = 30 : p = 0.043 for supplement by time interaction effect ) . This improvement in postpr and ial vascular function was most dramatic in subjects who showed a decrease in peak FMD in response to the meal ( n = 15 : p = 0.003 for supplement by time interaction effect ) . There was a significant increase in postpr and ial lipemia and plasma interleukin-6 but no effect of supplementation . There were no significant postpr and ial changes or supplement effects for plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha and malondialdehyde . In conclusion , consistent with other work showing a beneficial effect of carnitine on vascular function , these findings indicate that carnitine supplementation in healthy individuals improves postpr and ial FMD after a high-fat meal Increased cytokine expression contributes to the pathogenesis of cancer anorexia – cachexia syndrome . Carnitine may reduce inflammation in chronic diseases . We tested the effects of L-propionylcarnitine ( PC group ) or saline ( C group ) on food intake ( FI ) , body composition , and inflammatory status of MCA-sarcoma-bearing rats . On tumor appearance , rats were r and omly assigned to daily i.p . injection of L-propionylcarnitine ( 250 mg/kgBW/d ; n = 8) or saline ( equal volume ; n = 8) . FI and fat-free mass wasting improved in PC rats only ( p < .01 vs. controls ) . Cytokines ’ levels decreased in PC rats vs. controls ( p < .02 ) . Results suggest that carnitine may ameliorate cancer anorexia – cachexia , via reduction of the inflammatory status Objective : Excess generation of reactive oxygen species in damaged joints accelerates inflammatory responses in RA ( rheumatoid arthritis ) patients . The complementary effects of dietary antioxidant supplementation on the blood level of inflammatory mediators and the severity of the disease in RA patients were evaluated . Study Design and Setting s : The study was conducted as a r and omized , placebo-controlled , double-blind , three-treatment cross-over design trial . The participants visited the hospital as out patients . Subjects : Twenty patients meeting the 1987 criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis completed the study . Interventions : The subjects were r and omized in three groups to receive one of following supplementation ; quercetin+vitamin C ( 166mg+133mg/capsule ) , α-lipoic acid ( 300mg/capsule ) or placebo for 4 weeks ( 3 capsules/day ) . Each treatment period consisted of 4 weeks with 2 weeks of wash-out period before the subject starts next supplementation . Outcome Parameters : Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α ) , interleukin-1β(IL-1β ) , interleukin -6(IL-6 ) , and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) were measured . The severity of disease was evaluated using Korean Health Assessment Question naire(KHAQ ) and Visual Analogue Scale(VAS ) . Nutrient intake was measured at baseline and at the end of each intervention period . Results : The mean energy and nutrient intakes remained constant during study period . No significant differences were found in the serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CRP between treatments . The scores of disease severity measurements were not significantly different between treatments , although quercetin supplementation had a tendency to reduce VAS . Conclusions : Dietary supplementation of antioxidants at 900 mg/day for 4 weeks did not change the blood biomarkers of inflammation and disease severity of RA patients under conventional medical treatments . Further considerations for dose-response relationships , duration of supplementation , and susceptible biomarkers are required Insufficient vitamin D status has been linked to autoimmune diseases , cancer and metabolic disorders , like obesity and insulin resistance . In vitro and animal studies suggest that vitamin D may play a crucial role in immune activation and inflammation . The relation between vitamin D and pro-inflammatory cytokines is not completely established . Furthermore , it is not known if the effect of vitamin D on entities of metabolic syndrome is mediated through its effect on cytokines or other biomarkers . The objectives of this study were to investigate if there is a relationship between vitamin D status and such pro-inflammatory cytokines as tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-α ) , interleukin 6 ( IL-6 ) and high sensitive C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) in patients with overweigh and obesity . We also proposed that the intervention with high dose of cholecalciferol may have effect on the cytokine levels and result in corresponding changes in the measures of insulin resistance ( HOMA-IR and QUICKI ) . Serum levels of IL-6 , TNF-α and hs-CRP were measured in 332 overweight and obese subjects who completed a 1-year r and omised intervention with either 40,000 IU vitamin D ( cholecalciferol ) per week or 20,000 IU vitamin D per week  ,  or placebo .  We found significant associations between IL-6 , TNF-α , vitamin D and insulin resistance indices at baseline . One year intervention with vitamin D  decreased serum IL-6 levels ; however hs-CRP levels were significantly increased . Neither measures of insulin resistance , nor TNF-α were influenced by a 1-year vitamin D supplementation STUDY OBJECTIVES The first aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nutritional supplementation combined with low-intensity exercise on body components , exercise tolerance , and health-related quality of life ( HRQOL ) in malnourished patients with COPD . The second aim of this study was to examine the degree of systemic inflammation and the actual changes in levels of systemic CRP , TNFα , IL-6 and IL-8 actual changes after a combination of nutritional supplementation and low-intensity exercise in these patients . DESIGN A prospect i ve r and omized trial . PATIENTS Thirty-two moderate to severe , clinical ly stable malnourished COPD patients . METHODS Patients were r and omly divided into a nutritional supplementation with low-intensity exercise group and a control group .  Lung function , maximum inspiratory and expiratory muscle force , the Chronic Respiratory Disease Question naire ( CRQ ) , the 6-min walking distance ( 6MWD ) , and the Borg scale were measured at baseline and were re-assessed at 3 months after intervention . The degree of systemic inflammation and the changes in levels of systemic CRP , TNFα , IL-6 and IL-8 were assessed before and after a combination nutritional supplementation with low-intensity exercise .  RESULTS Body weight and FFM increased significantly after 12 weeks of nutritional supplementation therapy in patients with COPD .  The dietary intake energy increased and the REE : REEpred ratio decreased significantly in the nutrition with low-intensity exercise  group . PI(max ) , Quadriceps muscle force and the 6-min walking distance ( 6MWD ) increased significantly from baseline through week 12 . Health status , as assessed by CRQ , improved in the domains of dyspnea and total sores significantly in the nutrition with low-intensity exercise group after intervention . In this group , hsCRP , IL-6 , IL-8 , and TNFα , decreased significantly after intervention compared with the control group . CONCLUSIONS The combination of nutritional supplementation with low-intensity exercise training was successful in increasing weight and energy intake as well as exercise capacity and health-related QOL in our patients . Moreover , REE and major inflammatory cytokines decreased significantly after nutritional supplementation with low-intensity exercise training . The present study results suggest a potential role for the combination of nutritional supplementation and low-intensity exercise in the management of malnourished patients with COPD Atrial  fibrillation ( AF )  is one of the most common complications in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery ( CABG ) . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine administration on postoperative AF and the levels of C-reactive protein ( CRP ) following CABG . The effects of L-carnitine on the incidence of acute kidney injury after CABG were also assessed . One hundred thirty-four patients undergoing elective CABG , without a history of AF or previous L-carnitine treatment , were r and omly assigned to an L-carnitine group ( 3000 mg/d L-carnitine ) or a control group .  CRP levels , as a biomarker of inflammation , were assessed in all the patients before surgery as baseline levels and 48 hours postoperatively . Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin , as a kidney biomarker , was also measured in the patients before surgery and 2 hours thereafter . The incidence of AF was 13.4 % in our population . The incidence of AF was decreased in the L-carnitine group ( 7.5 % in the L-carnitine group vs 19.4 % in the control group ; P = 0.043 ) and the postoperative CRP level ( 8.79 ± 6.9 in the L-carnitine group , and 10.83 ± 5.7 in the control group ; P = 0.021 ) . The postoperative neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin concentration demonstrated no significant rise after surgery compared with the preoperative concentration ( 72.54 ± 20.30 in the L-carnitine group vs 67.68 ± 22.71 in the placebo group ; P = 0.19 ) . Our study showed that L-carnitine administration before CABG might inhibit and reduce the incidence of AF after CABG . It seems that a rise in the CRP level , as an inflammation marker , may be associated with the incidence of AF . Inflammation as measured by CRP was also reduced in the carnitine group , compared with the control group OBJECTIVE This study aim ed to explore effects of adjunctive treatment with N-acetyl cysteine ( NAC ) on markers of inflammation and neurogenesis in bipolar depression . METHODS This is a secondary analysis of a placebo-controlled r and omised trial . Serum sample s were collected at baseline , week 8 , and week 32 of the open-label and maintenance phases of the clinical trial to determine changes in interleukin (IL)-6 , IL-8 , IL-10 , tumour necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α ) , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF ) following adjunctive NAC treatment , and to explore mediation and moderator effects of the listed markers . RESULTS Levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF ) , tumour necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α ) , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , interleukins ( IL ) -6 , 8 , or 10 were not significantly changed during the course of the trial or specifically in the open-label and maintenance phases . There were no mediation or moderation effects of the biological factors on the clinical parameters . CONCLUSION The results suggest that these particular biological parameters may not be directly involved in the therapeutic mechanism of action of adjunctive NAC in bipolar depression Purpose This study was design ed to investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on depression and chronic inflammation in hemodialysis patients . Method Fifty-four maintenance hemodialysis patients were r and omized to ingest two omega-3 ( each containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid ) or placebo capsules , three times daily for 4 months . Main outcome measures : Beck Depression Inventory ( BDI ) score and serum levels of C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , interleukin (IL)-6 , IL-10 , tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α , ferritin , intact parathyroid hormone ( iPTH ) , and ratios of IL-10 to IL-6 and IL-10 to TNF-α were measured at baseline and at the end of the study . Results Omega-3 supplement  lowered BDI score significantly after 4 months of intervention . Among pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators , only serum ferritin level and IL-10 to IL-6 ratio showed significant changes in favor of omega-3 supplement during the study . In linear regression model adjusted for baseline values , omega-3 treatment was a significant predictor of reduced serum CRP , ferritin , and iPTH levels , and increased IL-10 to IL-6 ratio . No significant association was found between the anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant effects  of omega-3 supplement . Conclusions Supplemental use of omega-3 fatty acids decreases depressive symptoms in hemodialysis patients apart from their anti-inflammatory effects BACKGROUND Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease . We examined whether dietary supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA , 18:3n-3 ) affects the levels of inflammatory markers in dyslipidaemic patients . METHODS We recruited 76 male dyslipidaemic patients ( mean age=51+/-8 years ) following a typical Greek diet . They were r and omly assigned either to 15 ml of linseed oil ( rich in ALA ) per day ( n=50 ) or to 15 ml of safflower oil ( rich in linoleic acid ( LA , 18:2n-6 ) ) per day ( n=26 ) . The ratio of n-6:n-3 in linseed oil supplemented group was 1.3:1 and in safflower oil supplemented group 13.2:1 . Dietary intervention lasted for 3 months . Blood lipids and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , serum amyloid A ( SAA ) , and interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) levels were determined prior and after intervention . CRP and SAA were measured by nephelometry and IL-6 by immunoassay . RESULTS Dietary supplementation with ALA decreased significantly CRP , SAA and IL-6 levels . The median decrease of CRP was 38 % ( 1.24 vs. 0.93 mg/l , P=0.0008 ) , of SAA 23.1 % ( 3.24 vs. 2.39 mg/l , P=0.0001 ) and of IL-6 10.5 % ( 2.18 vs. 1.7 pg/ml , P=0.01 ) . The decrease of inflammatory markers was independent of lipid changes . Dietary supplementation with LA did not affect significantly CRP , SAA and IL-6 concentrations but decreased cholesterol levels . CONCLUSIONS Dietary supplementation with ALA for 3 months decreases significantly CRP , SAA and IL-6 levels  in dyslipidaemic patients . This anti-inflammatory effect may provide a possible additional mechanism for the beneficial effect of plant n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease OBJECTIVE We studied the effects of l-carnitine supplement on serum amyloid A ( SAA ) , a systemic inflammation marker , and vascular inflammation markers in hemodialysis patients . DESIGN This was a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial . SETTING The study was performed in Soodeh Hemodialysis Center in Islamshahr , Iran . PATIENTS We included 36 hemodialysis patients ( 15 men and 21 women ) . INTERVENTION The patients on hemodialysis were r and omly assigned to either a carnitine or a placebo group . Patients in the carnitine group received 1,000 mg/day oral l-carnitine for 12 weeks , whereas patients in the placebo group received a corresponding placebo during the study . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Serum free carnitine , SAA , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule type 2 , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule type 1 , sE-selectin , sP-selectin , and oxidized low-density lipoprotein were measured at baseline and at the end of week 12 of the study . RESULTS Mean serum free carnitine concentration increased significantly to 150 % of baseline in the carnitine group at the end of week 12 ( P < .001 ) , whereas serum SAA showed a significant 32 % decrease ( P < .001 ) . No significant changes were observed in the serum concentrations of free carnitine and SAA in the placebo group during the study . There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes in serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule type 2 , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule type 1 , sE-selectin , sP-selectin , and oxidized low-density lipoprotein concentrations . CONCLUSION The study indicates that l-carnitine supplement reduces serum SAA , which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in hemodialysis patients , but has no effect on vascular inflammation markers
Conclusion Our results indicate  that L-carnitine  reduced inflammatory mediators , especially in studies with a duration of more than 12 weeks .
Aim and background Reducing inflammation by nutritional supplements may help to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases .
Our aim in this meta- analysis was to determine the effect of L-carnitine on inflammatory mediators including C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , tumor necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α ) , and interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) .