The Effect of L-carnitine Supplementation on Liver Function, Folate and Vitamin B12 Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial

Carnitine is necessary for allowing the long-chain fatty acids to pass the inner mitochondrial membrane to induce β -oxidation. Lack of carnitine and abnormalities of mitochondria play an important role in forming fatty deposition in the liver, and hence, developing steatohepatitis. Carnitine and acylcarnitine identified in human erythrocytes and intra-erythrocyte acetylcarnitine have a significant relationship with the plasma levels. Methods: The present study was conducted to investigate the possible effects of L-carnitine on liver function, folate and vitamin B12 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this study, 70 patients with T2DM were randomly assigned to either a L-carnitine (CG) and a placebo group (PG). For 12 weeks, the first group received 1000 mg/d oral L-carnitine, whereas the second group received 1000 mg/day wheat starch as placebo. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), folate, Vitamin B12, complete blood count (CBC) including blood cells and indicators related to anemia were assessed at baseline. Results: 64 patients managed to complete the study (32 in each group). The results indicated that consumption of L-carnitine compared with placebo had no significant effect on liver enzymes, folate, vitamin B12, and CBC with differential. Conclusions:  Daily intake of 1000 mg L-carnitine for 12 weeks had no effect on liver function and anemia indicators including CBC, folate, and vitamins B12

Adherence to low carbohydrate diets and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case control study

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is defined as the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver cells of people who do not drink alcohol. The aim of study is investigated the association between low carbohydrate diets (LCDs) and NAFLD. Methods This age and gender-matched case–control study was conducted on 120 patients newly diagnosed with NAFLD and 120 adults without NAFLD. Diagnosis of NAFLD based on laboratory tests and abdominal ultrasound. Low carbohydrate diets score calculated on the percentage of energy as carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Participants in the highest rank intake of fat and protein and lowest intake of carbohydrate received 10 points. Multivariable logistic odds ratio was used for examine the relation between LCDs and NAFLD. Results This study showed subjects in the highest tertile of LCD has more intake of zinc and vitamin B12 compare to lowest. Also, intake of protein (p = 0.02) carbohydrate (p < 0.02) and cholesterol (p = 0.02) were significantly higher in patient with NAFLD compare to control subjects. There was no significant association between LCD and risk of NAFLD (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 0.97–1.92; P-trend = 0.13) in crude and adjusted (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.84–2.04; P-trend = 0.23) model. Conclusion However, we showed that intake of protein, carbohydrate and cholesterol are higher in NAFLD, but our results of study showed that LCDs with higher proportion intakes of protein and fat was not associated with NAFLD. Further prospective studies are required for confirm these associations