Serum L-carnitine levels and lipoprotein compositions in chronic viral hepatitis patients

Citation
Gh. Eskandari et al., Serum L-carnitine levels and lipoprotein compositions in chronic viral hepatitis patients, CLIN BIOCH, 34(5), 2001, pp. 431-433
Citations number
14
Categorie Soggetti
Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Journal title
CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
ISSN journal
00099120 → ACNP
Volume
34
Issue
5
Year of publication
2001
Pages
431 - 433
Database
ISI
SICI code
0009-9120(200107)34:5<431:SLLALC>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum L-carnitine lev els and its effect on lipoproteins in chronic viral hepatitis B or C patien ts. Design and Methods: Blood samples were taken from 41 patients and 30 health y subjects after 12 h fasting. Results: Patients' serum L-carnitine levels (11.19 +/- 6.67 mg/L) (p < 0.00 01) and hepatic enzyme activities (AST and ALT) (49.02 +/- 42.80 and 58.35 +/- 57.51 U/L) (p < 0.0005) were significantly higher than controls'. Serum total (3.85 +/- 0.82 mmol/L), LDL (2.08 +/- 0.76 mmol/L) and HDL (1.02 +/- 0.29 mmol/L) cholesterol levels were significantly lower in patients (p < 0.01). On the other hand triglyceride levels (1.65 +/- 0.85 mmol/L) were si gnificantly higher in patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The higher L-carnitine levels of patients may result from the leakage of hepatic cellular carnitine. If there is a decreased hepatic cell ular carnitine levels, this may affect the transport of acetyl moiety for c holesterol synthesis and alter lipoprotein composition. Further investigati on is needed for hepatic tissue L-carnitine levels. (C) 2001 The Canadian S ociety of Clinical Chemists. All rights reserved.