Effects of l-carnitine supplementation on glucolipid metabolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis?

Food & Function Pub Date: 2023-01-30 DOI: 10.1039/D2FO02930H

Abstract

Background: L-carnitine supplementation has been utilized against glucolipid metabolism disruption. However, to the best of our knowledge, no meta-analysis process has analyzed the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on insulin resistance, fasting blood glucose, lipid metabolism, and liver enzyme levels in adults. Methods: Through the analysis and screening of 12?221 studies, 15 studies were selected from eligible trials for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was performed in a random effect model with heterogeneity determined by I2, and subgroup analyses were used to further identify the source of heterogeneity. Result: The results showed significant effects of L-carnitine on FBG (MD = ?4.94 mg dL?1, 95% CI: ?7.07 to ?2.82), insulin (MD = ?0.99 μU mL?1, 95% CI: ?1.41 to ?0.56), HOMA-IR (MD = ?0.58, 95% CI: ?0.77 to ?0.38), TG (MD = ?11.22 mg dL?1, 95% CI: ?19.21 to ?3.22), TC (MD = ?6.45 mg dL?1, 95% CI: ?9.95 to ?2.95, LDLc (MD = ?8.28 mg dL?1, 95% CI: ?11.08 to ?5.47), and ALT (MD = ?19.71 IU L?1, 95% CI: ?36.45 to ?2.96). However, no significant effect of L-carnitine supplementation was observed in HDLc (MD = ?0.77 mg dL?1, 95% CI: ?0.10 to ?1.63) or AST (MD = ?11.05 IU L?1, 95% CI: ?23.08 to 0.99). The duration of carnitine supplementation was negatively associated with mean differences in FBG, as assessed by meta-regression. Conclusion: The current meta-analysis revealed that L-carnitine may have favorable effects on glucolipid profile, especially insulin, FBG, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, LDLc, and ALT levels.

Graphical abstract: Effects of l-carnitine supplementation on glucolipid metabolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis
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