Quantitative efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the quantitative efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients using model-based meta-analysis (MBMA).Methods: Literatures were retrieved from the public database and data from these trials were extracted. The quantitative efficacy of L-carnitine on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were evaluated by maximal effect (E-max) models with nonlinear mixed effects modeling (NONMEM).Results: In the model of FPG, E-max and (treatment) duration to reach half of the maximal effects (ET50) were -9.8% and 36.1 weeks, respectively. In the model of HbA1c, E-max and ET50 were -19.6% and 106 weeks, respectively. In addition, the durations for achieving 25%, 50%, 75%, 80%, and 90% E-max of L-carnitine on FPG were 13, 36.1, 118, 160, and 390 weeks, respectively. The durations for achieving 25%, 50%, 75%, 80%, and 90% E-max of L-carnitine on HbA1c were 38, 106, 334, 449, and 1058 weeks, respectively.Conclusions: It was the first time to provide valuable quantitative information for efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Automated summary

This study used model-based meta-analysis to explore the quantitative efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The study found the maximal effect and duration to reach half of the maximal effect for both fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) models. Additionally, the study analyzed the time durations for L-carnitine to achieve different percentages of maximal effects on FPG and HbA1c.