SERUM CARNITINE AND DISABLING FATIGUE IN MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

The serum concentrations of total, free and acylcarnitine were compare d in 25 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and among age- and sex-m atched normal controls by the new enzymatic cycling method in order to clarify whether the fatigue in MS might be due to possible carnitine- related fatty acid metabolic abnormalities in the mitochondria of skel etal muscles. Patients with MS were divided into those with and those without excessive fatigue. Levels of total and free carnitine were not significantly different between MS patients and normal controls. Leve ls of acylcarnitine, whose decrease in chronic fatigue syndrome has be en reported, were also similar between MS patients and normal controls . There was no difference in these carnitine levels between MS patient s with and without excessive fatigue. We argue that acylcarnitine defi ciency and fatty acid metabolic dysfunction in mitochondria are not re levant to the excessive fatigue in patients with MS, and further expla natory investigations are to be sought.