Effects of L-carnitine Supplement on Serum Amyloid A and Vascular Inflammation Markers in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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 randomized, 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 randomly 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. (C) 2011 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.