Original Communication
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005) 59, 592–596. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602109 Published online 2 March 2005
Effect of L-carnitine on plasma glycemic and lipidemic profile in patients with type II diabetes mellitus
Guarantor: AR Rahbar.
Contributors: ARR designed the study, collected and analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. RS, NS, FT, AP and BG helped in collection and analyzing the dates.
A R Rahbar1, R Shakerhosseini1, N Saadat1, F Taleban1, A Pordal1 and B Gollestan1
1Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology; Shahid Beheshtee University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence: AR Rahbar, Department of Human Nutrition, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, PO Box 19816-9573, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: ar.r@scientist.com
Received 20 May 2004; Revised 25 October 2004; Accepted 18 November 2004; Published online 2 March 2005.
Abstract
Objective:
We designed this study to investigate the effects of oral L-carnitine administration on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus type II.
Patients and methods:
The effect of L-carnitine on FPG and lipid parameters was investigated in 22 male and 13 female type II diabetic patients; the mean age
s.d. was 51.33.7 y. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups (L-carnitine and placebo group) and 1 g of L-carnitine or of placebo was given orally three times a day for a period of 12 weeks.
Results:
FPG in the L-carnitine group decreased significantly from 14335 to 13033 mg/dl (P=0.03), and we observed a significant increase of triglycerides (TG) from 19661 to 23312 mg/dl (P=0.05), of Apo A1 from 9420 to 10323 mg/dl (P=0.02), and of Apo B100 from 9818 to 10822 mg/dl (P=0.02) after 12 weeks of treatment. There was no significant change in LDL-C, HDL-C, HbA1C, LP(a) or total cholesterol.
Conclusion:
L-Carnitine significantly lowers FPG but increases fasting triglyceride in type II diabetic patients.
Keywords:
L-carnitine, diabetes, apolipoprotein
