1
|
Al-Dhuayan IS. Biomedical role of L-carnitine in several organ systems, cellular tissues, and COVID-19. BRAZ J BIOL 2023; 82:e267633. [PMID: 36629544 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.267633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Carnitine is a conditionally necessary vitamin that aids in energy creation and fatty acid metabolism. Its bioavailability is higher in vegetarians than in meat-eaters. Deficits in carnitine transporters occur because of genetic mutations or in conjunction with other illnesses. Carnitine shortage can arise in health issues and diseases-including hypoglycaemia, heart disease, starvation, cirrhosis, and ageing-because of abnormalities in carnitine control. The physiologically active form of L-carnitine supports immunological function in diabetic patients. Carnitine has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, several painful neuropathies, and other conditions. It has been used as a dietary supplement for the treatment of heart disease, and it also aids in the treatment of obesity and reduces blood glucose levels. Therefore, L-carnitine shows the potential to eliminate the influences of fatigue in COVID-19, and its consumption is recommended in future clinical trials to estimate its efficacy and safety. This review focused on carnitine and its effect on tissues, covering the biosynthesis, metabolism, bioavailability, biological actions, and its effects on various body systems and COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I S Al-Dhuayan
- Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, College of Science, Department of Biology, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hu H, Wang C, Liang K, He Q, Song J, Guo X, Hou X, Chen L, Yan F. Relationship Between Muscle Cramps and Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2022; 15:827-837. [PMID: 35313678 PMCID: PMC8934164 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s352735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) often suffer from muscle cramps of varying severity. Studies have shown that muscle cramp is closely related to local microcirculation perfusion disorders. Diabetic retinopathy can not only reflect the microcirculation perfusion in the eye but also the systemic microcirculation in patients with diabetes. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between muscle cramps and diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS A total of 150 adult patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled and administered a questionnaire on muscle cramping, along with a visual analogue scale for pain. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was determined by using fundus photography and graded as non-proliferative DR (NPDR) and proliferative DR (PDR). To assess whether there was an association between the muscle cramps and diabetic retinopathy, we conducted binomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Our study revealed that 48% of patients with T2DM experienced muscle cramps in the past three months. Patients self-reported suffering from muscle cramps exhibited a higher prevalence of DR (61% vs 38%, P < 0.05) and PDR (22% vs 4%, P < 0.05) compared with patients without muscle cramps. Serum 25-(OH) vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium levels were not significantly different between patients with and without muscle cramps. After adjusting for age, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, vitamin D, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, we demonstrated that diabetic retinopathy (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.01-4.69; P< 0.05) and albumin (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-1.00; P< 0.05) were highly associated with muscle cramps. Binomial logistic regression analysis also indicated that severity of DR is associated with muscle cramps. In addition, DR and PDR were found to be associated with muscle cramp frequency (P for trend < 0.05), duration (P for trend < 0.05), and pain severity (P for trend < 0.05). CONCLUSION Muscle cramps occur frequently in diabetes and are correlated with diabetic retinopathy and albumin. Patients with PDR exhibited a higher frequency, severity, and longer duration relative to those with NPDR or without DR. Our findings suggested that muscle cramps in individuals with T2DM might be a result of microvascular dysfunction. Modulation of microvascular perfusion might thus provide a therapeutic target for alleviating muscle cramps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiqing Hu
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuan Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong Province Medicine & Health, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
- Jinan Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kai Liang
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong Province Medicine & Health, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
- Jinan Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qin He
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jia Song
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinghong Guo
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinguo Hou
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong Province Medicine & Health, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
- Jinan Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong Province Medicine & Health, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
- Jinan Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Li Chen; Fei Yan, Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No. 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China, Email ;
| | - Fei Yan
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong Province Medicine & Health, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
- Jinan Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jang ES, Hwang SH, Kim JW, Jeong SH. Effectiveness of 4-Week Oral Taurine Treatment for Muscle Cramps in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Single-Arm Pilot Study. Yonsei Med J 2021; 62:21-28. [PMID: 33381931 PMCID: PMC7820453 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2021.62.1.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Painful muscle cramps are a common complication in liver cirrhosis patients, and no effective treatment is available. This pilot study aimed to evaluate whether taurine supplementation improves muscle cramps in Korean cirrhotic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten cirrhotic patients who experienced muscle cramps one or more times/week were enrolled in this prospective single-arm study and administered with an oral taurine solution (1 g/50 mL) thrice a day for 4 weeks. Taurine was discontinued for the subsequent 4 weeks. The frequency and intensity of muscle cramps were evaluated using a questionnaire at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 after the start of treatment. RESULTS At baseline, the median frequency of muscle cramps was six times/week, and all patients had severe pain. Muscle cramp scores (frequency×intensity) decreased in seven patients by weeks 4 and 8 after treatment initiation. Compared to baseline muscle cramp scores [median 21, interquartile range (IQR): 8-84], median muscle cramp scores were lower at week 4 (6.5, IQR: 3-12, p=0.126) and week 8 (5, IQR: 1.5-56, p=0.066). All five patients whose baseline plasma taurine levels were below the normal limit showed increased taurine levels at week 4; 60% of them experienced improvements in their muscle cramps. Of the five patients with normal or higher taurine levels, 80% experienced an improvement in symptoms at week 4. The safety and tolerability of the 4-week taurine therapy were excellent. CONCLUSION Oral taurine therapy for 4 weeks improved muscle cramps safely in cirrhotic patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun Sun Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Sung Ho Hwang
- Department of Nursing, Suwon Science College, Hwaseong, Korea
| | - Jin Wook Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Sook Hyang Jeong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pan L, Li Z, Wang Y, Zhang B, Liu G, Liu J. Network pharmacology and metabolomics study on the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine Huanglian Decoction in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 258:112842. [PMID: 32333952 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is currently one of the most prominent and global chronic conditions. Huanglian Decoction (HLD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation that has been used to treat T2DM for thousands of years in China. However, its mechanism of action at the metabolic level is still unclear. The purpose of this work is to study the mechanism of HLD in treating T2DM based on metabolomics and network pharmacology. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, metabolomics combined with network pharmacology was used to elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of HLD in T2DM. Serum samples were collected from rats with T2DM, induced by a high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ), to measure the levels of biochemical markers. Urinary metabolomics-based analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was conducted to evaluate the differential metabolites from multiple metabolic pathways. RESULTS After treatment with HLD for 4 weeks, biochemical indicators, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood lipid, fasting insulin (FINS), insulin sensitivity index (ISI), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), were significantly improved. Metabolomics results revealed that HLD regulated the biomarkers, such as cytosine, L-carnitine, betaine, phenylalanine, glucose, citrate, phenylpyruvate, and hippuric acid in glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. The combination of network pharmacology, metabolomics, western blot, and PCR showed that HLD can treat T2DM by enhancing the gene and protein expression levels of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), insulin receptor (INSR), and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) to interfere with glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism. CONCLUSIONS The study based on metabolomics and network pharmacology indicated that HLD can improve T2DM through multiple targets and pathways, and it may be a useful alternative therapy for the treatment of T2DM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Pan
- Department of Chinese Medicine Literature and Culture, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250355, China.
| | - Zhuangzhuang Li
- Ocean University of China, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China.
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Department of Chinese Medicine Literature and Culture, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250355, China.
| | - Bingyu Zhang
- Department of Chinese Medicine Literature and Culture, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250355, China.
| | - Guirong Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250355, China.
| | - Juhai Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250355, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Miwa T, Hanai T, Morino K, Katsumura N, Shimizu M. Effect of l-carnitine supplementation on muscle cramps induced by stroke: A case report. Nutrition 2019; 71:110638. [PMID: 31864971 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2019.110638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
l-carnitine, a compound responsible for transportation of acyl groups across cell membranes and modulating intracellular acyl-coenzyme A levels, is reported to reduce muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis and diabetes and those on dialysis. A 79-y-old man with right-sided paralysis was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with cerebral infarction. Nocturnal leg cramps appeared in the affected side and caused sleep disturbance. Supplementation with l-carnitine reduced the number of nocturnal leg cramps and alleviated sleep disturbance. It also plays an important role in nerve protection and treatment for carnitine deficiency. Patients with stroke-induced paralysis experience muscle wasting, which might reduce pooled carnitine in the affected side. This case suggests that stroke may cause localized carnitine deficiency, and l-carnitine supplementation might be effective for muscle cramps induced by stroke. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of l-carnitine supplementation for muscle cramps triggered by cerebral infarction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takao Miwa
- Department of Internal Medicine, JA Gifu Kouseiren Chuno Kousei Hospital, Seki, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Hanai
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan.
| | - Kotaro Morino
- Department of Internal Medicine, JA Gifu Kouseiren Chuno Kousei Hospital, Seki, Japan
| | - Naoki Katsumura
- Department of Internal Medicine, JA Gifu Kouseiren Chuno Kousei Hospital, Seki, Japan
| | - Masahito Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hiraoka A, Yoshiji H, Iwasa M, Nakanishi H, Karino Y, Nakajima T, Miyaaki H, Shiraki M, Kawaguchi T, Sawada Y, Michitaka K, Okita K. Clinical features of liver cirrhosis patients with muscle cramping: a multicenter study. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 31:1557-1562. [PMID: 31180989 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been a small number of reports mention the clinical features including quality of life (QOL) in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients with muscle cramping and therapeutic efficacy for muscle cramping. We evaluated clinical features of muscle cramping and treatments in such patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two-hundred and eighty-nine LC outpatients (70.6 ± 10.5 years old; male: female = 149: 140) were questioned regarding the presence or absence of muscle cramps within the last 3 months, including frequency, severity of related pain using a visual analogue scale, cramp locations, time of day, duration, sleep disturbance, daily activity decline, and being conscious of QOL decline. At the next hospital-visit, 3 or 4 months later, the subjects, who treated with medical intervention, received the same questionnaire. RESULTS Patients with muscle cramps (n = 160) included a higher percentage of females (53.8 vs. 41.9%, P = 0.045), worse Child-Pugh score (5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 10 = 91: 36: 15: 10: 4: 4 vs. 85: 25: 12: 5: 0: 2, P = 0.043) and lower platelet count (10.2 ± 4.7 vs. 11.8 ± 5.0 × 104/µl, P = 0.006) as compared to those without cramps (n = 129). Of the 160 with cramping, 82 (51.3%), received treatment with several types of medication, with l-carnitine the most administered drug (n = 66: 80.5%), and those also showed a tendency to complain about muscle cramps at night, sleep disturbance, reduced daily activity, and being conscious of QOL decline (each P < 0.01). We observed that frequency, visual analogue scale, sleep disturbance, daily activity, duration of muscle cramping, and being conscious of QOL decline were improved after the intervention (each P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION Intervention for muscle cramping improves total QOL in LC patients with such symptom.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Hiraoka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama
| | - Hitoshi Yoshiji
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, Nara
| | - Motoh Iwasa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu
| | - Hiroyuki Nakanishi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Tokyo
| | - Yoshiyasu Karino
- Department of Hepatology, Sapporo Kosei General Hospital, Sapporo
| | - Tomoaki Nakajima
- Department of Hepatology, Sapporo Kosei General Hospital, Sapporo
| | - Hisamitsu Miyaaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki
| | - Makoto Shiraki
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu
| | - Takumi Kawaguchi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume
| | - Yasuhiko Sawada
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, Nara
| | - Kojiro Michitaka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama
| | - Kiwamu Okita
- Department of Hepatology, Shunan Memorial Hospital, Yamaguchi, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Urinary Metabolomics Study of the Intervention Effect of Hypoglycemic Decoction on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Rats Model. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 2019:1394641. [PMID: 31885637 PMCID: PMC6925725 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1394641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The hypoglycemic decoction (HD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM), with a remarkable therapeutic effect. However, its mechanism of action is still unclear at the metabolic level. In this study, the biochemical markers from type 2 DM (T2DM) rats, induced by a high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ), were detected. The metabolomics-based analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was conducted to evaluate urine samples from control, model, metformin, and HD groups. After oral administration of HD for 28 days, the general state, weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood lipid level, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting insulin (FINS), insulin sensitivity index (ISI), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were significantly improved (P < 0.01). The western blotting showed that HD can enhance the protein expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The metabolomics results revealed that after treatment with HD, the levels of L-carnitine, 1-methyladenosine, 1-methylhistamine, and 3-indoleacrylic acid were upregulated and the levels of riboflavin, phenylalanine, atrolactic acid, 2-oxoglutarate, citrate, isocitrate, cortisol, and glucose were downregulated. The main mechanism may be closely related to the regulation of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, phenylalanine metabolism, glyoxylate metabolism, and dicarboxylate metabolism. Additionally, it was also found that HD can regulate the protein expression of GLUT4 and AMPK to interfere with TCA cycle and carbohydrate metabolism to treat T2DM.
Collapse
|