Effects of L-Carnitine supplement on plasma coagulation and anticoagulation factors in hemodialysis patients

Figures & data

Table 1.  Baseline characteristics of hemodialysis patients in the l-carnitine and placebo groups

Characteristics	l-Carnitine (n = 18)	Placebo (n = 18)
Age (years)^a	48 ± 10	52 ± 14
Duration of dialysis (years)^a	8 ± 7.7	6 ± 5
Sex
Men	6 (33%)	9 (50%)
Women	12 (67%)	9 (50%)
Smokers	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
Type of dialyzer
Polysulfone	18 (100%)	18 (100%)

Note: aAge and duration of dialysis are presented as mean ± SD.

Table 2.  Dialysis adequacy, and anthropometric and dietary factors in the l-carnitine and the placebo groups^a

Factors	Groups	Baseline	Week 6	Week 12
Dialysis adequacy (Kt/V)	l-Carnitine	1.1 ± 0.17	1.1 ± 0.13	1.09 ± 0.16
	Placebo	1.09 ± 0.22	1.02 ± 0.12	1.03 ± 0.19
Weight (kg)	l-Carnitine	59 ± 8	59 ± 8	59 ± 8
	Placebo	64 ± 9	64 ± 9.5	64.5 ± 9
BMI (kg/m^2)	l-Carnitine	24 ± 4	24 ± 4	24 ± 3.5
	Placebo	24.5 ± 4	25 ± 4	25 ± 4
Energy (kcal/day)	l-Carnitine	1191 ± 269	1249 ± 409	1284 ± 516
	Placebo	1213 ± 599	1114 ± 492.5	1105 ± 333.5
Protein (g/day)	l-Carnitine	41 ± 14.5	45 ± 18	44 ± 20
	Placebo	42 ± 25	39 ± 16	40 ± 12
Carbohydrate (g/day)	l-Carnitine	230.5 ± 44	202.5 ± 63.5	212 ± 91
	Placebo	207 ± 117	195 ± 99	186.5 ± 65
Fiber (g/day)	l-Carnitine	7.5 ± 3	8 ± 3	7.5 ± 3.5
	Placebo	7.5 ± 5	7 ± 4.5	6 ± 2
Total fat (g/day)	l-Carnitine	24.5 ± 7	27 ± 13	29 ± 12
	Placebo	25 ± 20	20 ± 8	22 ± 10
SAFA (g/day)	l-Carnitine	7 ± 3	7 ± 4	7.5 ± 3.5
	Placebo	6 ± 4	5 ± 2.5	6 ± 3
MUFA (g/day)	l-Carnitine	7 ± 3	7.5 ± 4	9 ± 4.5
	Placebo	8 ± 9	6 ± 3.5	6.5 ± 4
ω6-PUFA (g/day)	l-Carnitine	7 ± 2	8 ± 4	8 ± 3
	Placebo	7 ± 7	6 ± 3	7 ± 4
ω3-PUFA (g/day)	l-Carnitine	0.22 ± 0.5	0.18 ± 0.22	0.28 ± 0.29
	Placebo	0.18 ± 0.37	0.17 ± 0.24	0.20 ± 0.31
Vitamins E + C (mg/day)	l-Carnitine	45 ± 38	40 ± 32	37 ± 25
	Placebo	42 ± 37.5	29.5 ± 22	24 ± 15
Vitamin K (μg/day)	l-Carnitine	195 ± 198	103 ± 78	164 ± 194
	Placebo	125 ± 169	200 ± 249	112 ± 86

Notes: All values are presented as mean ± SD.

^an = 18 for all values.

BMI, body mass index; MUFA, monounsaturated fatty acids; SAFA, saturated fatty acids; PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Table 3.  Serum concentrations of free carnitine, CRP, and PAI-1/tPA, plasma fibrinogen concentration and activity of protein C and coagulation factors in the l-carnitine and the placebo groups^a

Parameters	Groups	Baseline	Week 12	Changes^b
Free carnitine (μmol/L)	l-Carnitine	22 ± 2.5	55 ± 6,**	33 ± 7**
	Placebo	20.5 ± 2	20.6 ± 3	0.1 ± 2
Fibrinogen (mg/dL)	l-Carnitine	470 ± 109	372 ± 66***	−98 ± 100*****
	Placebo	455 ± 109	426 ± 108****	−29 ± 49.5
Coagulation factor V activity (%)	l-Carnitine	94.5 ± 20	97 ± 18	2.5 ± 6
	Placebo	92 ± 23	95 ± 21	3 ± 17
Coagulation factor VII activity (%)	l-Carnitine	105 ± 43	107 ± 42	2 ± 17
	Placebo	107 ± 43	108.5 ± 28	1 ± 30
Coagulation factor IX activity (%)	l-Carnitine	95 ± 23	85 ± 20***	−10 ± 13
	Placebo	100 ± 31	90 ± 23****	−10 ± 21.5
Protein C activity (%)	l-Carnitine	79.5 ± 30	82 ± 30.5	2 ± 12.5
	Placebo	76 ± 26	77 ± 21	1 ± 10
PAI-1/tPA	l-Carnitine	15 ± 10	9 ± 7***	−6 ± 7
	Placebo	14.5 ± 9	8.5 ± 5***	−6 ± 6
CRP (mg/L)	l-Carnitine	7.5 ± 5.5	4.4 ± 3.3***	−3.1 ± 4.5*****
	Placebo	6.5 ± 5	6.3 ± 3.1	−0.2 ± 3.6

Notes: All values are presented as mean ± SD.

^an = 18 for all values.

^bChanges reflect week 12 – baseline values.

*p < 0.001 vs. baseline.

**p < 0.001 vs. the placebo group.

***p < 0.01 vs. baseline.

****p < 0.05 vs. baseline.

*****p < 0.05 vs. the placebo group.