The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on anthropometric and malnutrition status in acute ischemic stroke patients: a triple-blinded randomized clinical trial
Abstract Background Malnutrition is a significant challenge in stroke patients, affecting both rehabilitation and independence. This study aims to evaluate whether early L-carnitine supplementation can effectively improve anthropometric parameters and malnutrition status in acute-phase ischemic stro...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01008-2 |
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| author | Samaneh Hajjarzadeh Mehdi Zarei Shahram Rafie Davood Shalilahmadi Majid Karandish |
| author_facet | Samaneh Hajjarzadeh Mehdi Zarei Shahram Rafie Davood Shalilahmadi Majid Karandish |
| author_sort | Samaneh Hajjarzadeh |
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| description | Abstract Background Malnutrition is a significant challenge in stroke patients, affecting both rehabilitation and independence. This study aims to evaluate whether early L-carnitine supplementation can effectively improve anthropometric parameters and malnutrition status in acute-phase ischemic stroke patients to mitigate the catabolic state. Methods Eighty-two first-ever ischemic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the L-carnitine group (1000 mg three times/day for seven consecutive days) or the matching placebo group. The study outcomes based on intention-to-treat analyses included changes in weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, arm muscle area, calf circumference, serum ALB and malnutrition status over the seven-day treatment protocol. Malnutrition was assessed based on the serum ALB concentration, mid-arm muscle circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied for assessing the between-group changes along with adjusting the baseline mean value effect. Results Patients receiving L-carnitine had significantly lower changes in terms of weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, and calf circumference than did those in the placebo group. After the intervention, the placebo group experienced a significantly greater reduction in the mid-arm muscle circumference indicator (P < 0.001). The between-group change in the serum ALB concentration significantly increased in the L-carnitine group (P = 0.001). Moreover, the L-carnitine group was less malnourished than the placebo group [17 (41.5%) vs. 30 (73.2%), respectively; P = 0.01], after the intrvention. The “recovery” frequency was significantly greater in the L-carnitine group (18 (43.9%) vs. 3 (7.3%), P < 0.001) than the placebo group. Conclusions Early L-carnitine supplementation effectively improves anthropometric indices and malnutrition, muscle wasting, and rapid weight loss in acute ischemic stroke patients, highlighting its potential as a supportive nutritional therapy during stroke rehabilitation. Trial registration The current clinical trial study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (registration code: IRCT20221206056734N1) at 2023-02-11. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b6f6b9e6fa6e49498d57591c66146cc0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-0928 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-b6f6b9e6fa6e49498d57591c66146cc02025-01-26T12:19:19ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282025-01-0111111110.1186/s40795-025-01008-2The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on anthropometric and malnutrition status in acute ischemic stroke patients: a triple-blinded randomized clinical trialSamaneh Hajjarzadeh0Mehdi Zarei1Shahram Rafie2Davood Shalilahmadi3Majid Karandish4Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of AhvazDepartment of Neurology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Neurology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesNutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Malnutrition is a significant challenge in stroke patients, affecting both rehabilitation and independence. This study aims to evaluate whether early L-carnitine supplementation can effectively improve anthropometric parameters and malnutrition status in acute-phase ischemic stroke patients to mitigate the catabolic state. Methods Eighty-two first-ever ischemic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the L-carnitine group (1000 mg three times/day for seven consecutive days) or the matching placebo group. The study outcomes based on intention-to-treat analyses included changes in weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, arm muscle area, calf circumference, serum ALB and malnutrition status over the seven-day treatment protocol. Malnutrition was assessed based on the serum ALB concentration, mid-arm muscle circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied for assessing the between-group changes along with adjusting the baseline mean value effect. Results Patients receiving L-carnitine had significantly lower changes in terms of weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, and calf circumference than did those in the placebo group. After the intervention, the placebo group experienced a significantly greater reduction in the mid-arm muscle circumference indicator (P < 0.001). The between-group change in the serum ALB concentration significantly increased in the L-carnitine group (P = 0.001). Moreover, the L-carnitine group was less malnourished than the placebo group [17 (41.5%) vs. 30 (73.2%), respectively; P = 0.01], after the intrvention. The “recovery” frequency was significantly greater in the L-carnitine group (18 (43.9%) vs. 3 (7.3%), P < 0.001) than the placebo group. Conclusions Early L-carnitine supplementation effectively improves anthropometric indices and malnutrition, muscle wasting, and rapid weight loss in acute ischemic stroke patients, highlighting its potential as a supportive nutritional therapy during stroke rehabilitation. Trial registration The current clinical trial study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (registration code: IRCT20221206056734N1) at 2023-02-11.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01008-2Ischemic strokeCarnitineNutritional supportMalnutritionAnthropometryDietary supplement |
| spellingShingle | Samaneh Hajjarzadeh Mehdi Zarei Shahram Rafie Davood Shalilahmadi Majid Karandish The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on anthropometric and malnutrition status in acute ischemic stroke patients: a triple-blinded randomized clinical trial BMC Nutrition Ischemic stroke Carnitine Nutritional support Malnutrition Anthropometry Dietary supplement |
| title | The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on anthropometric and malnutrition status in acute ischemic stroke patients: a triple-blinded randomized clinical trial |
| title_full | The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on anthropometric and malnutrition status in acute ischemic stroke patients: a triple-blinded randomized clinical trial |
| title_fullStr | The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on anthropometric and malnutrition status in acute ischemic stroke patients: a triple-blinded randomized clinical trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on anthropometric and malnutrition status in acute ischemic stroke patients: a triple-blinded randomized clinical trial |
| title_short | The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on anthropometric and malnutrition status in acute ischemic stroke patients: a triple-blinded randomized clinical trial |
| title_sort | effect of l carnitine supplementation on anthropometric and malnutrition status in acute ischemic stroke patients a triple blinded randomized clinical trial |
| topic | Ischemic stroke Carnitine Nutritional support Malnutrition Anthropometry Dietary supplement |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01008-2 |
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