The Effect of L-carnitine Supplementation on Liver Function, Folate and Vitamin B۱۲ Levels in Patients with Type ۲ Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial

Carnitine is necessary for allowing the long-chain fatty acids to pass the inner mitochondrial membrane to induce β -oxidation. Lack of carnitine and abnormalities of mitochondria play an important role in forming fatty deposition in the liver, and hence, developing steatohepatitis. Carnitine and acylcarnitine identified in human erythrocytes and intra-erythrocyte acetylcarnitine have a significant relationship with the plasma levels. Methods: The present study was conducted to investigate the possible effects of L-carnitine on liver function, folate and vitamin B۱۲ levels in patients with type ۲ diabetes mellitus (T۲DM). In this study, ۷۰ patients with T۲DM were randomly assigned to either a L-carnitine (CG) and a placebo group (PG). For ۱۲ weeks, the first group received ۱۰۰۰ mg/d oral L-carnitine, whereas the second group received ۱۰۰۰ mg/day wheat starch as placebo. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), folate, Vitamin B۱۲, complete blood count (CBC) including blood cells and indicators related to anemia were assessed at baseline. Results: ۶۴ patients managed to complete the study (۳۲ in each group). The results indicated that consumption of L-carnitine compared with placebo had no significant effect on liver enzymes, folate, vitamin B۱۲, and CBC with differential. Conclusions:  Daily intake of ۱۰۰۰ mg L-carnitine for ۱۲ weeks had no effect on liver function and anemia indicators including CBC, folate, and vitamins B۱۲.

Keywords:

Carnitine , Diabetes mellitus , Liver , Vitamins , Clinical trial