L-Carnitine Improves Liver Function in Fatty Liver Disease

L-carnitine supplements can improve liver function, liver histology and other manifestations of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). "L-carnitine supplementation induces regression of NASH even if both plasma and hepatic carnitine levels have been shown to be normal," the investigators report in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Overall, 35 of the 36 patients (97%) in the intervention group had a histological response, and the NASH activity score - a 12-point scale assessing steatosis, parenchymal inflammation, and hepatocellular injury - fell by at least 2 points in every patient, according to the double-blind study.

All patients were put on a 1600-calorie/day diet that met requirements of the National Cholesterol Education Program, as well as a whole-body stretching routine performed 3 times a week. At the end of the study, the NASH activity score improved significantly more in the L- carnitine group. Similarly, L-carnitine was associated with greater reductions in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Only the L-carnitine group had a significant reduction in mean plasma glucose, and the change in insulin resistance also favored L-carnitine treatment. Finally, levels of C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha declined significantly more in the carnitine group.