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Effect of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Secondary Hyperparathyroidism and Bone Metabolism in Hemodialyzed Patients

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Abstract

The aim of our work was to test the influence of L-carnitine supplementation on secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone metabolism in hemodialyzed patients in a randomized study. Eighty-three chronically hemodialyzed patients were observed; 44 were supplemented with L-carnitine (15 mg/kg intravenously after each hemodialysis for 6 months), while 39 took placebo. Levels of free carnitine (CAR), calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (P), Ca x P product, parathormone (PTH), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP), osteocalcin (OC), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were monitored. In comparison with pretreatment values, changes of some selected parameters occurred in the supplemented patients after 6 months (data are expressed as medians; NS, nonsignificant change): PTH, 186.0 vs. 135.5 ng/L (NS); b-ALP, 13.9 vs. 13.2 μg/L (P < 0.05); OC, 78.3 vs. 68.8 μg/L (NS); OPG, 144.0 vs. 182.0 ng/L (P < 0.05). In the controls, there were the following changes: PTH, 148.0 vs. 207.0 ng/L (NS); b-ALP, 15.2 vs. 13.2 μg/L (P < 0.05); OC, 62.7 vs. 79.8 μg/L (P < 0.05); OPG, 140.0 vs. 164.0 ng/L (NS). A significant correlation was found between CAR and OPG changes (r = 0.51, P < 0.001) in the supplemented patients. The supplementation led to a significant increase of serum OPG concentration. Nevertheless, we observed only nonsignificant tendencies to correction of secondary hyperparathyroidism and reduction of bone turnover in hemodialyzed patients supplemented with L-carnitine in contrast to controls. At this point, the use of L-carnitine does not seem to be justified.

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the Internal Grant Agency (IGA) grant NB/7350-3 from the Ministry of Health, Czech Republic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Hematology, Charles University Medical Faculty and Faculty Hospital, Alej Svobody 80, CZ-304 60, Pilsen, Czech Republic

    Roman Cibulka, Jaroslav Racek, Daniel Rajdl, Ladislav Trefil & Romana Siroka

  2. 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Charles University Medical Faculty and Faculty Hospital, Pilsen, Czech Republic

    Richard Pikner

  3. Dialysis Centers EuroCare, Pilsen and Teplice, Czech Republic

    Eugenie Vesela & Marie Studenovska

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  1. Roman Cibulka
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  2. Jaroslav Racek
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Correspondence to Roman Cibulka.

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Cibulka, R., Racek, J., Pikner, R. et al. Effect of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Secondary Hyperparathyroidism and Bone Metabolism in Hemodialyzed Patients. Calcif Tissue Int 81, 99–106 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-007-9041-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-007-9041-1

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