L-propionyl carnitine, homocysteine and S-adenosylhomocysteine in hemodialysis

Background: L-Carnitine, the acyl carrier into mitochondria, is derived from trimethyllysine. The formation of the latter compound is catalyzed by an S-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase, yielding S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy), the homocysteine direct precursor, as a product. Aim of this work was to determine if exogenously administered L-propionyl carnitine affects plasma levels of homocysteine, a cardiovascular risk factor, and its active metabolite AdoHcy, in chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis. Methods: Plasma homocysteine and AdoHcy were determined by means of HPLC separation and detection in 14 hemodialysis patients before and after two months of i.v. L-propionyl carnitine treatment. Results: No significant differences were observed in plasma concentrations of homocysteine or AdoHcy after therapy. Conclusions: Treatment with a carnitine derivative does not significantly influence the plasma concentrations of homocysteine or of its active metabolite, AdoHcy, which are involved as risk factors for cardiovascular disease in chronic hemodialysis patients.