[Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid metabolism of renal failure, dialysis-dependent children and adolescents].

Abstract

In six renally insufficient children and adolescents (age: 8-21 years) on hemodialysis the effect of L-carnitine supplementation at two dose levels (10 mg/kg/d vs. 100 mg/kg/d) on parameters of lipid metabolism was investigated. L-Carnitine substitution was carried out over four weeks per dose level. Under this regime a significant increase of the serum carnitine concentration occurred together with a decrease in the AC/FC-ratio (x: 1.59 to x:0.83). During the same period a significant decrease in serum triglyceride levels as well as an increase in serum HDL-cholesterol were observed. An inverse correlation (r = -0.63; p less than 0.0008) was found between HDL-cholesterol and the AC/FC-ratio. L-carnitine supplementation and its increasing effect on HDL-cholesterol in patients with renal insufficiency may be considered as antiatherogenic.