Carnitine in Alcohol Use Disorders: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Neuroscience
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Recent research suggests a connection between carnitine metabolism and the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorders (AUDs).
• Understanding this relationship is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies for AUDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on carnitine metabolism in the context of AUDs.
• To formulate hypotheses regarding the potential role of carnitine in AUD and its treatment.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review of electronic databases was conducted in September 2019.
• Included studies were in English, focused on humans with AUD, and measured carnitine levels or utilized carnitine as a treatment.
• Eighteen studies were ultimately included after screening 586 initial records.

Main Results:

• Literature on carnitine metabolism and AUDs is limited.
• Alcohol consumption appears to affect carnitine metabolism, particularly in cases of alcoholic cirrhosis.
• Six studies indicated increased carnitine levels in AUD patients, with five of these in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.

Conclusions:

• Carnitine supplementation shows preliminary promise for reducing AUD symptoms like cravings, anhedonia, and withdrawal, and for improving cognition.
• Elevated plasma carnitine in alcoholic cirrhosis may stem from altered fatty acid metabolism and oxidative stress.
• Further randomized controlled trials are needed to validate carnitine's therapeutic potential in treating AUD.