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Effect of L-carnitine on plasma glycemic and lipidemic profile in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 59, pages 592–596 (2005)Cite this article

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 51.3±3.7 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 143±35 to 130±33 mg/dl (P=0.03), and we observed a significant increase of triglycerides (TG) from 196±61 to 233±12 mg/dl (P=0.05), of Apo A1 from 94±20 to 103±23 mg/dl (P=0.02), and of Apo B100 from 98±18 to 108±22 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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology,

    A R Rahbar, R Shakerhosseini, N Saadat, F Taleban, A Pordal & B Gollestan

  2. Shahid Beheshtee University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    A R Rahbar, R Shakerhosseini, N Saadat, F Taleban, A Pordal & B Gollestan

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  1. A R Rahbar
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  2. R Shakerhosseini
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  3. N Saadat
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  4. F Taleban
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Correspondence to A R Rahbar.

Additional information

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.

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Rahbar, A., Shakerhosseini, R., Saadat, N. et al. Effect of L-carnitine on plasma glycemic and lipidemic profile in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Eur J Clin Nutr 59, 592–596 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602109

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