Low plasma carnitine in patients on prolonged total parenteral nutrition: association with low plasma lysine Journal Article


Authors: Berner, Y. N.; Larchian, W. A.; Lowry, S. F.; Nicora, R. R.; Brennan, M. F.; Shike, M.
Article Title: Low plasma carnitine in patients on prolonged total parenteral nutrition: association with low plasma lysine
Abstract: Plasma carnitine levels were determined in 17 patients maintained on long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for a mean (±SEM) period of 69 ± 11 months (range 12-196). All had severe malabsorption and were dependent on intravenous feeding. Plasma carnitine was determined by a modified Cederblad enzymatic method. Mean plasma carnitine was significantly below the mean normal for females (p < 0.02) and borderline low for males (p = 0.07). In six patients the levels were below the low normal range, and in five others they were at the lowest levels of normal. Of the six patients with normal levels, three had elevated serum creatinine, indicating renal dysfunction which may by itself elevate plasma carnitine. In 10 patients the plasma levels of lysine (a carnitine precursor) were determined and found to be lower than normal (p < 0.05). Plasma carnitine levels correlated positively with serum albumin (r = 0.62, p < 0.05), and negatively with serum alkaline phosphatase (r = -0.64, p < 0.05). Thus, patients maintained on long-term TPN may have low plasma carnitine, which could represent carnitine deficiency. The low plasma carinitine may be related to a deficiency of the carnitine precursor lysine. Further studies are required to determine the significance of the low plasma carnitine and whether carnitine supplementation should be required in long-term TPN. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 14:255-258, 1990). © 1990, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.
Keywords: adult; clinical article; aged; creatinine; alkaline phosphatase; total parenteral nutrition; amino acids; sex factors; lysine; carnitine; blood level; gastrointestinal diseases; middle age; serum albumin; parenteral nutrition, total; human; male; female; priority journal; article
Journal Title: Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Volume: 14
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0148-6071
Publisher: Sage Publications  
Date Published: 1990-05-01
Start Page: 255
End Page: 258
Language: English
DOI: 10.1177/0148607190014003255
PUBMED: 2112637
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 27 January 2020 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Murray F Brennan
    1059 Brennan
  2. Moshe Shike
    168 Shike
  3. Stephen F Lowry
    20 Lowry