L-carnitine as an ergogenic aid for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease submitted to whole-body and respiratory muscle training programs

Abstract

The effects of adding L-carnitine to a whole-body and respiratory training program were determined in moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Sixteen COPD patients (66 ± 7 years) were randomly assigned to L-carnitine (CG) or placebo group (PG) that received either L-carnitine or saline solution (2 g/day, orally) for 6 weeks (forced expiratory volume on first second was 38 ± 16 and 36 ± 12%, respectively). Both groups participated in three weekly 30-min treadmill and threshold inspiratory muscle training sessions, with 3 sets of 10 loaded inspirations (40%) at maximal inspiratory pressure. Nutritional status, exercise tolerance on a treadmill and six-minute walking test, blood lactate, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory muscle strength were determined as baseline and on day 42. Maximal capacity in the incremental exercise test was significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.05). Blood lactate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate at identical exercise levels were lower in CG after training (P < 0.05). Inspiratory muscle strength and walking test tolerance were significantly improved in both groups, but the gains of CG were significantly higher than those of PG (40 ± 14 vs 14 ± 5 cmH 2 O, and 87 ± 30 vs 34 ± 29 m, respectively; P < 0.05). Blood lactate concentration was significantly lower in CG than in PG (1.6 ± 0.7 vs 2.3 ± 0.7 mM, P < 0.05). The present data suggest that carnitine can improve exercise tolerance and inspiratory muscle strength in COPD patients, as well as reduce lactate production.

Serum total and free carnitine levels in children with asthma

“…[2] The lung also contains more than 40 different cell types, most of them involved in lipid metabolism. Pulmonary surfactant, a complex of 90% lipids and 10% lung specifi c apoproteins, is synthesized and secreted from type II cells.…”

“…[1] L-carnitine administration is benefi cial to exercise and respiratory strength training in outpatients with stable, moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. [2] In addition, it has been demonstrated that carnitine supplementation can increase serum carnitine levels, improve exercise capacity and correct the obstructive pattern in breath function tests in maintenance hemodialysis patients. [3,4] The bronchodilator effect of carnitine on asthma and asthma attacks is not known.…”

Metabolomics screening identifies reducedL-carnitine to be associated with progressive emphysema

“…Interestingly, it has also been suggested following a randomized double-blind trial that L-carnitine supplementation improved the control of asthma in children suffering from moderate persistent disease [27], which has been supported by an in vivo study in mice using the ovalbumin model of asthma tentatively reporting that L-carnitine treatment improved oxygen saturation and improved bronchus-associated inflammation [28]. Furthermore, L-carnitine supplementation as an ergogenic aid for COPD patients undergoing whole-body and respiratory muscle training programmes demonstrated improved exercise tolerance and inspiratory muscle strength [29]. However, a mechanism of action for the potential benefits of L-carnitine on lung pathology is also yet to be elucidated.…”

An Official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Statement: Update on Limb Muscle Dysfunction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…The effects of adding L-carnitine to a whole-body and respiratory training program were determined in patients with moderate to severe COPD (639). Sixteen patients with COPD were studied; they were randomly assigned to oral L-carnitine or placebo for 6 weeks.…”