| Theme | Dialysis Therapy and Carnitine | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Carnitine and myocardium | |
| Publish Date | 2000/02 | |
| Author | Tai Sakurabayashi | Kidney Center of Shinraku-en Hospital |
| Author | Masashi Suzuki | Kidney Center of Shinraku-en Hospital |
| Author | Yoshihei Hirasawa | Kidney Center of Shinraku-en Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | Carnitine is essential for fatty acid metabolism, as a primary energy source for the heart. Patients with end-stage renal disease, who are receiving maintenance hemodialysis, have abnormal carnitine profiles as a result of deficiencies of free carnitine and accumulations of acylcarnitine. Evaluation through the use of beta-methyl-p-iodophenyl pentadecanoic acid, a fatty acid analogue radioisotope, revealed the disturbance of myocardial fatty acid metabolism and amelioration of this abnormality through L-carnitine supplementation. Cardiac disturbances such as systolic dysfunction and arrhythmia may be caused by abnormalities in fatty acid metabolism, because several reports have indicated the effectiveness of L-carnitine administration. Further study is required to establish strategies for treatment of cardiac complications in chronic hemodialysis patients through carnitine supplementation, in order to improve socioeconomic conditions and the quality of life for these patients. |
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