The importance of L-carnitine in patients with chronic renal failure treated with hemodialysis

Česká verzia

Authors: R. Cibulka ¹; J. Racek ¹; E. Veselá ²
Authors place of work: Ústav klinické biochemie a hematologie Lékařské fakulty UK a FN, Plzeň, přednosta prof. MUDr. Jaroslav Racek, DrSc. ¹; Dialyzační středisko EuroCare, Plzeň, vedoucí lékař prim. MUDr. Eugenie Veselá, CSc. ²
Published in the journal: Vnitř Lék 2005; 51(10): 1108-1113
Category: Reviews

Summary

In patients with chronic renal failure dysfunctions of metabolism occur because of a basic affection and also of the hemodialysis. These dysfunctions result in a rise of serious complications for patients in the course of praedialysis period and also in the course of dialysis treatment. The population of hemodialysis patients is therefore a very endangered group of persons. They are in danger of early atherosclerosis, hyperparathyroidism, anemia and other diseases. L-carnitine is a necessary substance for transport of long chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane so that it enables their β-oxidation and obtaining of energy, namely in muscle cells including myocardium. A significant deficiency of L-carnitine is found in hemodialysis patients. It was repeatedly described that the carnitine deficiency induces undesirable effects for patients and participates in a rise of some complications. Many studies proved positive effects of supplementation especially to the state of nutrition, lipid metabolism and red blood cell count. Recently the influence on oxidative stress and calcium and phosphate metabolism has been investigated. These researches confirm the relationship between metabolic changes and energetic metabolism in haemodialysis patients.

Key words:
L-carnitine - chronic renal failure - haemodialysis - dysfunctions of metabolism - complications of dialysis treatment

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