High Dose L-Carnitine Improves Immunologic and Metabolic Parameters in Aids Patients

Abstract

Several reports indicate that systemic carnitine deficiency could occur in acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome (AIDS), and that primary and secondary carnitine deficiency leads to critical metabolic dysfunctions. L-carnitine supplementation to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of AIDS patients resulted in significant enhancement of the phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-driven proliferative response. High dose L-carnitine administration (6 gr per day for two weeks) to AIDS patients treated with zidovudine also led to increased PBMCs proliferation and reduced blood levels of triglycerides. In addition, a reduction of beta 2-microglobulin serum levels as well as circulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, mostly in patients exhibiting highly elevated levels, were found at the end of the treatment period. Our data suggest that in vivo L-carnitine could prove useful in ameliorating both the immune response and lipid metabolism in patients with AIDS, irrespective of initial serum carnitines levels. The mechanism(s) accounting for the observed results are currently not clear. Further studies are needed to confirm the hypothesis that L-carnitine affects the expression of HIV-induced cytokine.

Efficacy of Osmoprotectants on Prevention and Treatment of Murine Dry Eye

“…43 In humans, an immunosuppressive role of L-carnitine is also observed with reduction of TNF-a levels in surgical and AIDS patients after receiving L-carnitine supplementation. 45,46 Like L-carnitine, betaine has also been reported to possess antiinflammatory properties. 38 Although the molecular events associated with the anti-inflammatory effects of L-carnitine or betaine in dry eye are not yet fully understood, we have demonstrated these activities also play a role in prevention and treatment of murine dry eye.…”

The antioxidant properties of carnitine in vitro

“…It intensifies respiration and peroxisome function and is often used as a food additive supposed to increase physical performance [1,2], promote weight loss [3,4] and increase reproductive performance [5,6]. It has been also found to improve immunological functions [7,8] and is suggested to be a therapeutic agent for several neurodegenerative disorders [9,10]. The beneficial effects of carnitine appear to be mediated, at least in part, by its antioxidant properties, which include the upregulation of the level of glutathione [8,9] and the elevation of the activities of antioxidant enzymes [8].…”

L-Carnitine Supplementation Reduces Short-Term Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

“…Moreover, in AIDS patients treated with zidovudine, L-carnitine supplementation contributed to lymphocyte proliferation. 29 Cardiac surgery, especially with CPB, is a wellknown cause of an inflammatory host response with suppression of cellular immunity. 30 Increasing neutrophils and decreasing lymphocytes are 2 strong predictors of postoperative infection.…”