Effect of levocarnitine on the microinflammation state and nutritional status in patients with maintenance hemodialysis

Objective:To explore the effects of levocarnitine on the microinflammation state and nutritional status in patients with maintenance hemodialysis(MHD).Methods:A total of 88 end-stage renal disease(ESRD) patients treated with MHD were randomly divided into the observation group and control group.Two groups were treated with pure hemodialysis,folic acid,ferralia,EPO,and calcitriol.After hemodialysis,the observation group was injected with levocarnitine(1.0 g) and normal saline(20 mL) from the dialysis channel venous end,and the control group were only injected with normal saline(20 mL).Before treatment,and after 3 and 6 months of treatment,the level of hs-CRP,and levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-8 in two groups were detected using transmission turbidimetry and ELISA,respectively,and the levels of Hb,PA,ALB,TC,TG,BUN,Cr,and β₂-MG.in two groups were detected using full automatic biochemical analyzer.Results:The levels of hs-CRP,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-8 at 3 and 6 months after treatment in the observation group were significantly reduced when compared with before treatment(P<0.01).IL-6,IL-8,and TNF-α levels at 3 and 6 months after treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.01).Hb,ALB,and PA levels at 3 and 6 months after treatment in the observation group were significantly elevated when compared with before treatment(P<0.05 to P<0.01).PA level at 3 months after treatment in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.01).The comparison of Hb, PA, and ALB levels at 6 months after treatment between the two groups was significantly different(P<0.01).After 3 and 6 months of treatment,the level of β₂-MG level in the observation group was significantly reduced when compared with before treatment(P<0.05 and P<0.01).After 6 months of treatment,the comparison of β₂-MG level between the two groups was significantly different(P<0.01).Conclusions:Levocarnitine can effectively alleviate the microinflammation state,and improve the malnutrition status in patients with MHD.