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[Carnitine metabolism in chronic kidney failure]
F Fiorini1, E Patrone, A Castellucci
1Divisione di Medicina, U.S.L. 2, Sanremese.
La Clinica Terapeutica
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Carnitine deficiency can cause health issues in chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis. Supplementing carnitine intravenously and in dialysis fluid helps reverse these deficiency symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nephrology
- Cellular Physiology
Context:
- Chronic renal failure (CRF) often leads to altered carnitine metabolism.
- Hemodialysis can exacerbate carnitine depletion, particularly in muscle tissue.
- Carnitine deficiency is linked to various clinical signs and symptoms in CRF patients.
Purpose:
- To investigate the impact of chronic renal failure and hemodialysis on carnitine levels.
- To explore the efficacy of carnitine supplementation in managing carnitine deficiency in hemodialysis patients.
Summary:
- Patients with chronic renal failure typically exhibit elevated plasma carnitine levels.
- Hemodialysis initially causes a decrease in muscle carnitine, followed by plasma carnitine reduction.
- Clinical manifestations of carnitine deficiency observed in these patients can be reversed.
Impact:
- Intravenous carnitine administration post-dialysis for 15-30 days shows positive effects.
- Chronic administration of carnitine within dialysis fluid offers a sustained therapeutic approach.
- Effective carnitine management can alleviate symptoms associated with carnitine deficiency in hemodialysis patients.