L-carnitine supplementation in duchenne muscular dystrophy steroid-naïve patients: A pilot study

Rosa E. Escobar-Cedillo, Jesús A. Tintos-Hernández, Guadalupe Martińez-Castro, Beatriz Montes De Oca-Sańchez, Rodolfo Rodriǵuez-Jurado, Antonio Miranda-Duarte, Socorro Lona-Pimentel, Benjamín Gómez-D́iaz, Ramón M. Coral-Vázquez, Silvia Garciá, Luz Berenice López Hernández

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive weakness leading to disability. Steroid administration and physiotherapy are the most useful medical interventions in ambulant patients; In DMD, muscles present a significant deficiency of L-carnitine compared to normal subjects. Nutritional supplements are used to support management. We evaluated the effect of L-carnitine supplementation in patients that were not under steroid treatment. A double blind, controlled trial was performed in 20 patients assigned to L-carnitine or placebo treatment for one year, dose of (50 mg/kg) twice daily. Evaluations were performed every 4 months and results were analyzed using ANOVA. Variables such as age, weight, and disease onset were similar in both groups. L-carnitine supplementation was well tolerated; no significant side effects were reported during and after treatment. Clinical evaluations showed no differences between groups (p>0.05). L-carnitine supplementation does not significantly improve the function of upper and lower extremities of DMD steroid-naïve patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)97-101
Number of pages5
JournalCurrent Topics in Nutraceutical Research
Volume11
Issue number3
StatePublished - Aug 2013

Keywords

  • Clinical trial
  • Duchenne muscular dystrophy
  • L-carnitine supplementation
  • Steroids

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