Malaguarnera G, Catania VE, Bertino G, Chisari LM, Castorina M, Bonfiglio C, Cauli O, Malaguarnera M.
Acetyl-L-carnitine Slows the Progression from Prefrailty to Frailty in Older Subjects: A Randomized Interventional Clinical Trial.
Curr Pharm Des 2022;
28:3158-3166. [PMID:
36043711 DOI:
10.2174/1381612828666220830092815]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Ageing is characterized by a gradual decline in body function, representing the clinical situation called "frailty". Prefrailty is the intermediate stage between frailty and robust condition. L-carnitine (LC) plays an important role in energy production from long-chain fatty acids in mitochondria, and its serum level is lower in prefrail and frail subjects.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate the effect of Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) in pre-frail older patients.
METHODS
We scheduled 3 months of treatment and then 3 months of follow-up. A total of 92 subjects were selected from May, 2009 to July, 2017, in a randomized, observational, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. We scheduled 3 months of treatment and then 3 months of follow-up. ALCAR (oral 1.5 g/bis in die - BID) or placebo groups were used.
RESULTS
After the treatment, only the treated group displayed a decrease in C reactive protein (CRP) p < 0.001 and an increase in serum-free carnitine and acetylcarnitine (p < 0.05) in Mini-Mental state (MMSE) p < 0.0001 and 6-walking distance (p < 0.0001); ALCAR group vs. placebo group showed a decrease in HDL cholesterol and CRP (p < 0.01), an increase in MMSE score (p < 0.001) and in the 6-walking distance (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
ALCAR treatment delays the incidence and severity of onset of degenerative disorders of the elderly in prefrail subjects with improvement in memory and cognitive processes.
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