Effect of L-carnitine on lipid biomarkers of oxidative stress in chronic hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine on serum levels of lipid biomarkers of oxidative stress in chronic hemodialysis patients. Methods: From a total of 90 patients with end-stage kidney disease enrolled in this trial, 87 patients completed the study. L-carnitine tablets (250 mg/T) dissolved in 30 mL water (25 mg/kg) were administered orally twice daily before meals for a period of 3 months in the intervention group (n=44). Instead, the controls (n=43) received placebo. Before and 12 weeks after treatment, serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and other markers were measured. Results: The mean serum levels of MDA after hemodialysis (before L-carnitine therapy) were respectively 5.64 +/- 2.04 and 5.78 +/- 2.12 mu mol/L in the intervention and control groups, respectively, which were not statistically different from the levels before hemodialysis (5.60 +/- 2.05 and 5.74 +/- 2.16 mu mol/L, respectively, p>0.05). The reduction in MDA levels after L-carnitine therapy was significantly greater in the intervention group vs. controls (5.17 +/- 2.04 vs. 5.60 +/- 2.13 mu mol/L, p<0.001). In addition, the reduction in LDL levels after treatment was significantly more evident in the intervention group compared with that in the controls (p<0.001). The dose consumption of erythropoietin decreased far more in the intervention group (from; 8000 +/- 520 to 3750 +/- 418 unite/week) than in the control group (from; 8000 +/- 318 to 6000 +/- 528) after 5 months of follow-up (p=0.029). Conclusion: Oral administration of L-carnitine in chronic hemodialysis patients may remarkably modulate lipid marker levels of oxidative stress and reduce the dose consumption of erythropoietin without any side effects.