We investigated the effect of long-term i.v. administration of L-carnitine on human muscle fibers using morphometric parameters. We administered 2g/day L-carnitine to patients undergoing hemodialysis for at least 12 months. At the end of this period a marked increase in serum and muscle carnitine levels was observed in all patients, together with hypertrophy and predominance of type 1 fibers. L-carnitine was withheld for 4 months, during which time serum and muscle levels gradually decreased and no changes were observed in muscle fibers. Subsequent addition of L-carnitine to dialysis fluid for another 4 months stabilized lower levels. At the end of this period reduction of diameter of type 1 fibers was observed. Type 2 fibers remained unchanged. Moreover, type 1 fibers remained predominant in all cases. Hence, we suggest that carnitine has a specific trophic effect on type 1 fibers which are characterized by an oxidative metabolism.

Spagnoli, L.g., Palmieri, G., Mauriello, A., Vacha, G., D'Iddio, S., Giorcelli, G., et al. (1990). Morphometric evidence of the trophic effect of L-carnitine on human skeletal muscle. NEPHRON, 55(1), 16-23.

Morphometric evidence of the trophic effect of L-carnitine on human skeletal muscle

SPAGNOLI, LUIGI GIUSTO;PALMIERI, GIAMPIERO;MAURIELLO, ALESSANDRO;
1990-01-01

Abstract

We investigated the effect of long-term i.v. administration of L-carnitine on human muscle fibers using morphometric parameters. We administered 2g/day L-carnitine to patients undergoing hemodialysis for at least 12 months. At the end of this period a marked increase in serum and muscle carnitine levels was observed in all patients, together with hypertrophy and predominance of type 1 fibers. L-carnitine was withheld for 4 months, during which time serum and muscle levels gradually decreased and no changes were observed in muscle fibers. Subsequent addition of L-carnitine to dialysis fluid for another 4 months stabilized lower levels. At the end of this period reduction of diameter of type 1 fibers was observed. Type 2 fibers remained unchanged. Moreover, type 1 fibers remained predominant in all cases. Hence, we suggest that carnitine has a specific trophic effect on type 1 fibers which are characterized by an oxidative metabolism.
1990
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore MED/08 - ANATOMIA PATOLOGICA
English
Uremia; Humans; Muscles; Aged; Middle Aged; Renal Dialysis; Muscular Atrophy; Male; Lipid Metabolism; Female; Carnitine
Spagnoli, L.g., Palmieri, G., Mauriello, A., Vacha, G., D'Iddio, S., Giorcelli, G., et al. (1990). Morphometric evidence of the trophic effect of L-carnitine on human skeletal muscle. NEPHRON, 55(1), 16-23.
Spagnoli, Lg; Palmieri, G; Mauriello, A; Vacha, G; D'Iddio, S; Giorcelli, G; Corsi, M
Articolo su rivista
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/69329
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