L-CARNITINE DEFICIENCY IN KIDNEY DISEASE AND DIALYSIS
Synthesis and turnover of carnitine are regulated mainly by the kidney. Kidney carnitine levels inversely correlate with serum creatinine of normal subjects and CKD patients.
Dialysis patients often develop carnitine deficiency. In hemodialysis, carnitine is cleared by 75% from the plasma during a 4-hour hemodialysis session leading to a 50% reduction after one year of hemodialysis of plasma and muscle carnitine.
Carnitine deficiency may contribute to a number of clinical disorders such as EPO resistant anemia, cardiac dysfunction, cachexia, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, muscle weakness, intradialytic hypotension and muscle cramps.
Carnitine supplementation improves hemodynamic stability during hemodialysis session in adult patients, thereby avoiding repeated interruptions of the session resulting in a better control of related disorders.
The administration of carnitine for kidney disease can improve metabolic balance and dialysis relateddisorders.
This section includes monographs that comprehensively report the evidence that we have to date on
L-carnitine and in its role in kidney disease. It also provides an overview of the current utilization of L-carnitine in kidney disease and dialysis.
The section also includes educational videos, presentations and animated infographics edited by international scientific experts.
