Atorvastatin and carnitine combination versus atorvastatin alone impacts on the lipid profile of haemodialyzed patients: A randomised clinical trial

Abstract

Introduction: Dyslipidemia is one of the most common problems in hemodialysis patients and healthcare system. Some studies have suggested the use of carnitine in the treatment of dyslipidemia in hemodialysis patients. This study was carried out aiming to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin and carnitine combination versus atorvastatin alone on the lipid profile of hemodialyzed patients. Methods: In this clinical trial, 50 hemodialysis patients referred to the educational centres of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, for haemodialysis were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. In the first group, patients were treated with carnitine (1000 mg three times daily) and atorvastatin (10-80 mg/day based on the baseline lipid profile of the patients) and in the second group, the patients were treated with atorvastatin alone for six months. The levels of triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and haemoglobin before and after intervention were compared. The side effects of carnitine administration were also evaluated. Results: Results showed that TG, cholesterol, and LDL levels were significantly lower in the carnitine group compared to those in the other group at the end of study (P < 0.050). In addition, HDL and haemoglobin levels were significantly higher in the carnitine group in comparison to the other group (P < 0.050). No major side effects of carnitine were observed among the patients. Conclusion: The use of carnitine plus atorvastatin combination is an effective and safe method in the treatment of dyslipidemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis without imposing significant side effects.

Keywords: Carnitine, Atorvastatin, Hemodialysis, Dyslipidemia