The effects of l-Carnitine supplementation on inflammatory markers, clinical status, and 28 days mortality in critically ill patients: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Aim: Critical ill patients experience catabolic stress, which results in a systemic inflammatory response. The inflammatory response is associated with increased complications, including infection, multi-organ dysfunction, increased length of ICU stays, and mortality. l-Carnitine supplementation may play an important role in these patients by regulating inflammatory cell function. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of l-Carnitine supplementation on clinical status, inflammatory markers, and mortality rate in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on critically ill patients. Subjects were randomly assigned into placebo (n = 27) and l-Carnitine (n = 27) groups. l-Carnitine (3000 mg/day) was administered via nasogastric tube for the intervention group for 7 days, while the other group received a placebo for the same duration. Serum levels of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. Nutritional status and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, and 28-day mortality were also recorded.

Results: Fifty-one critically ill patients completed the study. l-Carnitine supplementation significantly reduced the levels of CRP (mean change ± SE: -34.9 ± 6.5) and IL-6 (mean change ± SE: -10.64 ± 2.16) compared to the baseline, which is both statistically significant compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The SOFA and APACHE scores were significantly reduced in the l-Carnitine group compared with the placebo group (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions: l-Carnitine supplementation showed beneficial effects on inflammatory and clinical outcomes of critically ill patients.

Trial registration details: Trial registration: IRCT, Registered 30 May 2018, https://www.irct.ir/trial/30748.

Keywords: Critically ill patient; Inflammation; Intensive care unit; L-Carnitine; Supplement.