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Effects of carnitine supplementation on liver aminotransferase enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

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Abstract

Background and Aims

This meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials was performed to assess effects of carnitine supplementation on serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Cochrane’s library, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase was performed up to May 2018. From a total of 2012 articles identified initially, only 17 articles were included in the final meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of carnitine supplementation on serum levels of ALT and AST enzymes.

Results

Random effects model meta-analysis showed that carnitine supplementation led to reduction in serum ALT (weighted mean difference [WMD] − 10.25 IU/L; 95% CI = − 15.73, − 4.77; p < 0.001) and AST levels (WMD − 7.85 IU/L; 95% CI = − 11.85, − 3.86; p < 0.001). The results of subgroup analysis showed that carnitine could reduce serum AST levels at dosages equal to 2000 mg/day (p = 0.014) or more than 2000 mg/day (p < 0.001). However, carnitine supplementation at dosages of ≤ 1000 mg/day (p = 0.035) or equal to 2000 mg/day (p = 0.013) resulted in significant reduction in ALT level, while doses more than 2000 mg/day did not change ALT significantly. Carnitine exerts its reducing effect on serum ALT and AST levels only when these aminotransferases are raised or when the duration of supplementation lasts at least 3 months.

Conclusion

Results of the current meta-analysis showed that carnitine supplementation can decrease serum AST and ALT levels significantly, especially when supplementation lasts 3 months or more in patients with elevated serum aminotransferase levels.

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Acknowledgements

The proposal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was approved in Student Research Committee of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutritional Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

    Esmaeil Yousefi Rad, Ebrahim Falahi, Mahnaz Mardani & Somayeh Saboori

  2. Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

    Elham Eslampour & Omid Asbaghi

  3. Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology, Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Azita Hekmatdoost

  4. Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital and Child and Family Research Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Azita Hekmatdoost

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  1. Esmaeil Yousefi Rad
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Correspondence to Somayeh Saboori.

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EYR, EE, EF, MM, AH, OA, and SS declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Yousefi Rad, E., Eslampour, E., Falahi, E. et al. Effects of carnitine supplementation on liver aminotransferase enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Indian J Gastroenterol 38, 470–479 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-019-00983-2

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