| [ Summary ] |
Carnitine plays an essential role as a carrier in the transport of long-chain fatty acids through the inner mitochondrial membrane. Since it is synthesized within the body, there is usually no carnitine deficiency. However, with dialysis therapy, unless the carnitine lost in the dialysate is replaced by proper diet, a carnitine deficiency may result. In this deficiency, various phenomena appear such as diminished effectiveness of erythropoietin, general fatigue, muscular weakness, cardiac failure and anemia. Mutton is the food containing the most carnitine, followed by beef. Poultry has little carnitine. With sufficient mutton and beef in the diet, there is virtually no carnitine deficiency. Patients with a deficiency of this kind must be given L-carnitine until the muscular concentration is regained. |