ABSTRACT
Background: L-carnitine may prevent the incidence of AKI by its antioxidant effects and improving circulation in ischemic conditions. The goal of this trial was to evaluate the impact of L-carnitine on contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing elective PCI
Methods: totally, the patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The treatment group received 1 g of L-carnitine orally 3 times a day, 24 hours before the procedure [3 g before PCI] and 2 g after PCI, whereas the control group did not receive L-carnitine. In both groups, the plasma level of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [NGAL] was measured at baseline and 12 hours after PCI
Results: our study was conducted on 202 patients [including 91 vs. 111 patients in the treatment and the control group; 31 [34.1%] vs 33 [29.7%] female in carnitine and control group; and ages include 62.0 +/- 9.0 vs 57.0 +/- 11.2 years]. The median plasma levels of NGAL were not different between the carnitine and control groups at baseline [57 [IQR: 22 - 255] vs. 54 [IQR: 29 - 324]; p value = 0.155] and 12 hours after PCI [71 [IQR: 52 - 129] vs. 70 [IQR: 46 - 153]; p value = 0.925], but the changes in the plasma NGAL from baseline to 12 hours after PCI were different between the 2 groups [5 [IQR:-147 - 30] vs. 17 [IQR: -21 - 41]; p value = 0.010]
Conclusion: our results showed that oral L-carnitine was able to prevent an increase in NGAL following contrast medium administration in patients undergoing PCI. More studies should be performed to fully elucidate the nephroprotective effects of L-carnitine