Serum L-carnitine levels and lipoprotein compositions in chronic viral hepatitis patients

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum L-carnitine levels and its effect on lipoproteins in chronic viral hepatitis B or C patients. Design and Methods: Blood samples were taken from 41 patients and 30 healthy subjects after 12 h fasting. Results: Patients’ serum L-carnitine levels (11.19 ± 6.67 mg/L) (p< 0.0001) and hepatic enzyme activities (AST and ALT) (49.02 ± 42.80 and 58.35 ± 57.51 U/L) (p< 0.0005) were significantly higher than controls’. Serum total (3.85 ± 0.82 mmol/L), LDL (2.08 ± 0.76 mmol/L) and HDL (1.02 ± 0.29 mmol/L) cholesterol levels were significantly lower in patients (p< 0.01). On the other hand triglyceride levels (1.65 ± 0.85 mmol/L) were significantly higher in patients (p< 0.05). Conclusions: The higher L-carnitine levels of patients may result from the leakage of hepatic cellular carnitine. If there is a decreased hepatic cellular carnitine levels, this may affect the transport of acetyl moiety for cholesterol synthesis and alter lipoprotein composition. Further investigation is needed for hepatic tissue L-carnitine levels.