Does L-carnitine improve endothelial function in hemodialysis patients?

Background: atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in hemodialysis patients. these patients are also very prone to l- carnitine deficiency due to kidney disease. in this clinical trial, we investigated the effect of oral l-carnitine on endothelial function of these patients. materials ans methods: we studied 31 adult chronic hemodialysis patients in our center and divided them into two groups. the first group (n = 20) received 1500 mg/dialysis interval (every other day) oral l-carnitine. the control group (n = 11) received placebo for one month. ultrasonographic measurements of flow mediated dilation and carotid intima-media thickness were performed before and after one month of l-carnitine and placebo therapy. results: this study showed that after one month of l- carnitine or placebo therapy there was no significant improvement in flow mediated dilation (p = 0.80 and p = 0.59, respectively) or decrease in carotid intima-media thickness (p = 0.12 and p = 0.50, respectively). conclusions: our study revealed that one month of oral l-carnitine therapy did not improve endothelial function in hemodialysis patients. long-term studies with large sample size using intravenous form and higher doses of the drug are required to clarify the questionable role of l-carnitine in hemodialysis patients.