The effect of L-carnitine on insulin resistance in hemodialysed patients with chronic renal failure

Günal A. İ., Çeliker H., Dönder E., GÜNAL S.

JOURNAL OF NEPHROLOGY, vol.12, no.1, pp.38-40, 1999 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 12 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 1999
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF NEPHROLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.38-40
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: No

Abstract

We investigated the effect of L-carnitine in seven patients, four female and three male (mean age 44.4 +/- 6.0 years) with chronic renal failure. Six patients, four female and two male (mean age 49.3 +/- 2.2 years) with chronic renal failure were given a placebo (0.9% sodium chloride) as control, After the basal data were obtained, patients received a single intravenous dose of L-carnitine (1 g) or placebo and two hours later insulin sensitivity was studied by the intravenous insulin tolerance test. No change was observed in biochemical data and K-itt values in the placebo group, K-itt increased significantly with carnitine (from 2.99 +/- 0.3 to 3.54 +/- 0.2%/min, p < 0.03) compared to the control group (p < 0.02). This result suggests that L-carnitine may improve the insulin resistance common among uremic patients.