期刊名称：Journal of Respiratory and CardioVascular Physical Therapy
印刷版ISSN：2238-4677
出版年度：2014
卷号：2
期号：1
页码：20-29
语种：English
出版社：Journal of Respiratory and CardioVascular Physical Therapy
摘要：Objective: We evaluated the safety and effects of L-carnitine on exercise capacity and respiratory muscle strength in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Prospective double blind study. Thirty four patients were screened; however, only 8 completed the study. Elderly men with COPD (70±4 years) participated of incremental and submaximal exercise testing, maximal inspiratory (PI max ) and expiratory pressures (PE max ) and blood sample analysis to determine plasmatic free L-carnitine. Protocols consisted of placebo supplementation during the first 6 weeks (glucose solution in 2 daily doses) and L-carnitine supplementation (two times a day, i.e., 2 g daily in water solution) after more 6 weeks. Patients did not know if they were receiving glucose (placebo) or carnitine. Patients were evaluated before and after placebo and supplementation. Data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis (ANOVA). Delta of change was compared by Student t test. Correlations between deltas of walking distance, PI max with plasmatic free L-carnitine were performed by Pearson’s test. Results: Placebo did not change plasmatic free L-carnitine, exercise capacity and pulmonary function. However, after 6 weeks of L-carnitine supplementation, plasmatic free L-carnitine (from 56±9 to 87±16μMol/L), submaximal exercise (from 446±47 to 498±35m), PI max (from 56±13 to 74±10cmH 2 O) and PE max (from 65±12 to 85±12cmH 2 O) significantly improved. Significant correlation was found between PI max and plasmatic free L-carnitine (r=0.65 and p=0.04). In addition, during L-carnitine supplementation no signals of intolerance or collateral effects were observed. Conclusion: L-carnitine supplementation appeared to be safe, well-tolerated and positively influenced exercise capacity and respiratory muscle strength in COPD patients.
