Effects of L-carnitine on the plasma lipid profile and liver function in elderly patients receiving total parenteral nutrition after abdominal operations / 中华临床营养杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effects of L-carnitine on the plasma lipid profile and liver function in elderly patients receiving total parenteral nutrition after abdominal operations.Methods In this prospective blinded randomized controlled trial,24 eligible elderly patients were given 6-day total parenteral nutrition.They were further equally divided into L-carnitine group(administered with L-carnitine 50 mg/kg)and control group(without L-carnitine).The changes of lipid profile and liver function and the clinical outcomes were recorded and compared.Results The plasma triglyeride levels were lower in L-carnitine group than in control group on the 4th and 7th post-operative day,but there were not significant difference(P>0.05);There was a significant difference between the two groups in the change of the 4th post-operative day and pre-operative day(P<0.05).However,the liver function indicators were not significantly different between these two groups.Conclusion Administration of L-carnitine during total parenteral nutrition can improve the triglyeride metabolism in elderly patients after abdominal operations and may benefit the recovery of liver function.