Effect of L-Carnitine on the Serum Lipoproteins and hDL-C Subclasses in Hemodialysis Patients

摘要

Aims: Following carnitine administration a decrease in plasma levels of triglyceride (TG) and increase in total high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) has been reported. Our hypothesis was that it also improves the HDL2/HDL_3 ratio, symptomatic intradialytic hypotension, and anemia in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: Forty HD patients with a mean (+- SD) age of 53 +- 13 years were treated with 500 mg/day carnitine taken orally for 2 months. Patients were used as their own controls (before treatment). Lipid and lipoproteins were determined by Alcyon Abbott autoanalyzer. HDL subclasses were measured by magnesium precipitation after fraction-ation with dextran sulfate. Hemoglobin, hematocrit and serum albumin were measured by standard methods. The results were analyzed by SPSS 11.05. Results: We found a significant decrease in serum TG (2.22 +- 0.99 vs. 1.93 +- 1.07mmol/l,p<0.01)andVLDL-C(0.93 +- 0.36 vs. 0.81 +- 0.34 mmol/l, p = 0.01) and a marked increase in HDL-C (0.9 +- 0.16 vs. 1.06 +- 0.24 mmol/l, p < 0.05), HDL_2-C(0.17 +- 0.06 vs. 0.27 +- 0.14 mmol/l, p<0.05) and albumin (37 +- 4 vs. 42 +- 5 g/l, p = 0.01) levels. The serum levels of total cholesterol (4.61 +- 0.89 vs. 4.5 +- 0.95 mmol/l, p = 0.1), LDL-C (2.78 +- 0.85 vs. 2.6 +-0.89 mmol/l, p > 0.05), HDL_3-C (0.73 +- 0.1 vs. 0.79 +-0.17 mmol/l, p > 0.05), hemoglobin, hematocrit, and intradialytic blood pressure did not change after the treatment. Conclusion: Treatment with 500 mg/day carnitine taken orally for 2 months reduces serum levels of TG and VLDL-C, and increases HDL-C, HDL_2-C and albumin in HD patients.