Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone metabolism in hemodialyzed patients

The aim of our work was to test the influence of L-carnitine supplementation on secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone metabolism in hemodialyzed patients in a randomized study. Eighty-three chronically hemodialyzed patients were observed; 44 were supplemented with L-carnitine (15 m/kg intravenously after each hemodialysis for 6 months), while 39 took placebo. Levels of free carnitine (CAR), calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (P), Ca x P product. parathormone (PTH), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP), osteocalcin (OC), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were monitored. In comparison with pretreatment values. changes of some selected parameters occurred in the supplemented patients after 6 months (data are expressed as medians; NS, nonsignificant change): PTH, 186.0 vs. 135.5 ng/L (NS); b-ALP, 13.9 vs. 13.2 mu g/L (P < 0.05); OC, 78.3 vs. 68.8 mu g/L (NS); OPG, 144.0 vs. 182.0 ng/L (P < 0.05). In the controls, there were the following chan(yes: PTH, 148.0 vs. 207.0 ng/L (NS); b-ALP. 15.2 vs. 13.2 mu g/L (P < 0.05); OC, 62.7 vs. 79.8 mu g/L (P < 0.05); OPG, 140.0 vs. 164.0 ng/L (NS). A significant correlation was found between CAR and OPG changes (r = 0.51, P < 0.001) in the supplemented patients. The supplementation led to a significant increase of serum OPG concentration. Nevertheless, we observed only nonsignificant tendencies to correction of secondary hyperparathyroidism and reduction of bone turnover in hemodialyzed patients supplemented with L-carnitine in contrast to controls. At this point, the use of L-carnitine does not seem to be justified.