Effect of L-carnitine on fatty acid oxidation of the muscle in hemodialysis patients
Muscle weakness is a major cause of morbidity in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on long term hemodialysis (HD). Carnitine (C) is important for transport of fatty acids into mitochondria. The kidney is a major site of C biosynthesis which may be compromised in ESRD. C is lost during dialysis and is reduced in plasma and muscle. Although the cause of muscle weakness is multifactorial, the effect of supplemental C was tested on a group of ESRD patients on HD. C (1 gm I.V. 3 x/wk) or placebo was given to HD patients for 6 months. Muscle biopsies were obtained before and after C supplementation and from control subjects. Muscle pathology was examined by histochemical light microscopy. Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) by homogenate of the biopsied muscle was measured using (/sup 14/C) palmitate. Plasma aluminum (AL) and parthyroid hormone (PTH) were also measured and patients were evaluated for the degree of muscle weakness. All Pts had abnormal muscle pathology and C supplementation did not improve it. FAO by 3 HD Pts who had received placebo was 639 +/- 285 (S.D.) dpm/mg protein while control subjects were 1487 +/- 267 and was statistically different (p < .003). FAO by 8 HD Pts receiving C was not different from placebo. Addition of C in vitro stimulated FAO 70 to 80%, but there was not difference between groups. The degree of FAO was inversely correlated with the severity of the muscle pathology, and was directly correlated with the concentration of C in muscle. Pts with high plasma AL had lower FAO, but there was no correlation between FAO and PTH.
- OSTI ID:
- 6991160
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8604222-
- Journal Information:
- Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States) Vol. 45:4; ISSN FEPRA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Partial muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase-A deficiency
Kinetic compartmental analysis of carnitine metabolism in the human carnitine deficiency syndromes. Evidence for alterations in tissue carnitine transport
Related Subjects
550901 -- Pathology-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMINO ACIDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CARNITINE
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DISEASES
HEXADECANOIC ACID
HYDROXY ACIDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
KIDNEYS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
MUSCLES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXIDATION
PATHOGENESIS
PATIENTS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
UROGENITAL SYSTEM DISEASES
VITAMIN B GROUP
VITAMINS