L-Carnitine therapy in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology, cilt.11, sa.3, ss.196-201, 2000 (Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 11 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2000
- Dergi Adı: Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.196-201
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Carnitine, Fatty liver, Hyperlipidemia, Obesity, Steatohepatitis, Treatment
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background/aims: Carnitine deficiency is thought to be an etiologic factor in the development of steato-hepatitis. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of carnitine treatment in hepatic steatosis due to various etiologies. Methods: Patients were randomized to four different study groups. Group A (n = 24) carnitine 1 g/day; Group B (n = 26) carnitine 2 g/day and group C (n = 28) carnitine 3 g/day which was prescribed for a six month period in addition to specific dietary advice. Group D (n = 23) patients were given only the prescribed diet. Patients were followed up for an additional six months following discontinuation of drug treatment and advised to continue with the prescribed diet. Results: Serum mean ALT levels had reduced significantly in all groups on the third and sixth months and these decreases continued during follow-up examinations. The improvement of ALT was more prominent in group C compared to A and D (p<0.05). Fifty percent of patients in group C showed ALT normalization at the last follow-up and this rate was better than group A and D (p<0.05). No significant change was observed in the grade of hepatic steatosis according to sonography and histological examination of liver at the end of treatment, in any of the groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that carnitine treatment for six months does not improve histological and sonographic findings in hepatic steatosis but in large doses, it causes a significant decrease in serum ALT and AST levels, compared to dietary treatment alone. In conclusion, carnitine supplementation seems to be ineffective in the treatment of steatohepatitis.