Effect of L-carnitine on exercise performance in patients with mitochondrial myopathy

Autor(es)

Gimenes, A. C. ^[1] ; Bravo, D. M. ^[1] ; Napolis, L. M. ^[1] ; Mello, M. T. ^[2] ; Oliveira, A. S. B. ^[3] ; Neder, J. A. ^[1] ; Nery, L. E. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Setor Funcao Pulmonar & Fisiol Clin Exercicio, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Setor Doencas Neuromusculares, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 48, n. 4, p. 354-362, APR 2015.
• Citações Web of Science: 3

Resumo

Exercise intolerance due to impaired oxidative metabolism is a prominent symptom in patients with mitochondrial myopathy (MM), but it is still uncertain whether L-carnitine supplementation is beneficial for patients with MM. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of L-carnitine on exercise performance in MM. Twelve MM subjects (mean age±SD=35.4±10.8 years) with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) were first compared to 10 healthy controls (mean age±SD=29±7.8 years) before they were randomly assigned to receive L-carnitine supplementation (3 g/daily) or placebo in a double-blind crossover design. Clinical status, body composition, respiratory function tests, peripheral muscle strength (isokinetic and isometric torque) and cardiopulmonary exercise tests (incremental to peak exercise and at 70% of maximal), constant work rate (CWR) exercise test, to the limit of tolerance [Tlim]) were assessed after 2 months of L-carnitine/placebo administration. Patients with MM presented with lower mean height, total body weight, fat-free mass, and peripheral muscle strength compared to controls in the pre-test evaluation. After L-carnitine supplementation, the patients with MM significantly improved their Tlim (14±1.9 vs 11±1.4 min) and oxygen consumption ( V ˙ O 2) at CWR exercise, both at isotime (1151±115 vs 1049±104 mL/min) and at Tlim (1223±114 vs 1060±108 mL/min). These results indicate that L-carnitine supplementation may improve aerobic capacity and exercise tolerance during high-intensity CWRs in MM patients with CPEO. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 07/55946-5 - Avaliação dos efeitos da suplementação aguda de L-carnitina no consumo de oxigênio muscular periférico e no desempenho cardiovascular durante o exercício de pacientes com miopatia mitocondrial
• Beneficiário: Luiz Eduardo Nery
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular