The effects of L-carnitine supplement on anemia in hemodialysis patients: A randomized clinical trial study

BACKGROUND: There is no general consensus about the effect of L-carnitine (LC) on anemic factors in hemodialysis patients. In this clinical trial, the effect of LC on anemia was investigated in these patients. METHODS: In a double-blinded clinical trial, hemodialysis patients admitted to the dialysis department of Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj, Iran, in 2017, were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (n = 40) and placebo (n = 40). Individuals in the intervention group received a dose of 1 g/day of LC, and the other group received placebo tablets of the same form for 12 weeks. Anemia factors were evaluated in both groups before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: The LC supplementation increased hemoglobin (Hb) in hemodialysis patients (P = 0.043). Moreover, the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) level was decreased under the effect of LC (P < 0.001). The mean ± standard deviation (SD) scores of ferritin serum level before and after the intervention were 528.43 ± 466.96 and 737.70 ± 468.38 μg/l, respectively. This indicates a significant difference from that of the placebo group (P < 0.001). The results showed that LC supplementation did not affect red cell distribution width (RDW), platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), iron (Fe), and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) levels (P > 0.050). CONCLUSION: The effect of LC supplement on Hb, serum ferritin, and MCV levels in hemodialysis patients was significant. Therefore, LC can be used to treat anemia in this group of patients.