[Decreased plasma carnitine in Type I diabetes mellitus]

Realizing the importance of carnitine for the lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and the possible role for glucose utilization and myocardial function carnitine concentrations in type I and type II diabetic patients in plasma, erythrocytes and 24 h urine were determined. The plasma levels of carnitine were significantly diminished in type I diabetic patients compared to controls, while carnitine concentrations in erythrocytes and 24 h urine did not differ from controls. Plasma carnitine levels did not change significantly during the diurnial profile. No correlation between HbA1c and carnitine levels was observed in the diabetic patients.