Serum Fatty Acid and Carnitine Levels in Obese Children with Fatty Livers

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The prevalence of obese children has recently increased. Obesity is known to be associated with complications such as hypertension, fatty liver, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. L-carnitine is an essential cofactor for the transport of long chain fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation. The purpose of this study is to measure serum free fatty acid and carnitine levels, and evaluate the role of L-carnitine as a therapeutic drug in obese children with fatty liver. METHODS: Nine obese children, ranging from seven to 18 years of age, and 10 normal children were examined. Serum lipid(total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol) and fatty acid levels were analyzed. Serum total, free, and acyl carnitine levels were performed also by a new enzymatic cycling technique. RESULTS: Long chain fatty acids(myristic acid, palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid)were significantly increased in obese children compared to the control group. Total, and acyl carnitine levels were significantly increased in obese children compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Serum free fatty acid and carnitine levels were significantly increased in obese children with fatty liver compared to the normal control. This may suggest that L-carnitine can be used as antilipidemic agent to decrease fatty acid and lipid levels for obese children. Prospective studies will investigate serum fatty acid and carnitine levels after treatment of L-carnitine in obese children in the future.