Plasma carnitine is associated with fatigue in chronic hepatitis C but not in the irritable bowel syndrome

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04608.x/abstract

Plasma carnitine is associated with fatigue in chronic hepatitis C but not in

the irritable bowel syndrome

R. Anty1,2,3, S. Marjoux1,2,3, S. Bekri4,5,6, L. DeGalleani2, R. Dainese2,3,7,

E. Gelsi2, F. Cherikh2, A. Tran1,2,3, T. Piche2,3,7

Article first published online: 2 MAR 2011

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04608.x

© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Issue

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Early View (Articles online in advance of print)

Summary

Background  Fatigue is an important determinant of altered quality of life in

patients affected by chronic hepatitis C or the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Aim  In this study, we aimed at determining the contributory role of plasma

levels of leptin and carnitine on fatigue in chronic hepatitis C and IBS.

Methods  We enrolled 70 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 42 with IBS and 44

healthy subjects. Fatigue was evaluated using the Fatigue Impact Scale

questionnaire. Body composition was assessed through impedance analysis. Plasma

carnitine and leptin were measured.

Results  Fatigue scores were significantly more elevated in patients with

chronic hepatitis C and IBS than in healthy subjects. Patients with chronic

hepatitis C but not IBS, had significant lower plasma levels of total and free

carnitine adjusted for fat mass compared with healthy subjects. In patients with

chronic hepatitis C and not with IBS, fatigue scores were negatively correlated

with plasma levels of carnitine. Levels of free carnitine were significantly and

independently associated with the severity of fatigue in patients with chronic

hepatitis C [OR = 2.019, P = 0.02, CI 95% (1.01–1.23)].

Conclusions  In patients with chronic hepatitis C, the severity of fatigue is

associated with a low level of carnitine, suggesting that an oral

supplementation may be effective to relieve fatigue in chronic hepatitis C. The

underlying mechanism of fatigue in IBS does not seem to involve carnitine.

[Guest guest]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04608.x/abstract

Plasma carnitine is associated with fatigue in chronic hepatitis C but not in

the irritable bowel syndrome

R. Anty1,2,3, S. Marjoux1,2,3, S. Bekri4,5,6, L. DeGalleani2, R. Dainese2,3,7,

E. Gelsi2, F. Cherikh2, A. Tran1,2,3, T. Piche2,3,7

Article first published online: 2 MAR 2011

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04608.x

© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Issue

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Early View (Articles online in advance of print)

Summary

Background  Fatigue is an important determinant of altered quality of life in

patients affected by chronic hepatitis C or the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Aim  In this study, we aimed at determining the contributory role of plasma

levels of leptin and carnitine on fatigue in chronic hepatitis C and IBS.

Methods  We enrolled 70 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 42 with IBS and 44

healthy subjects. Fatigue was evaluated using the Fatigue Impact Scale

questionnaire. Body composition was assessed through impedance analysis. Plasma

carnitine and leptin were measured.

Results  Fatigue scores were significantly more elevated in patients with

chronic hepatitis C and IBS than in healthy subjects. Patients with chronic

hepatitis C but not IBS, had significant lower plasma levels of total and free

carnitine adjusted for fat mass compared with healthy subjects. In patients with

chronic hepatitis C and not with IBS, fatigue scores were negatively correlated

with plasma levels of carnitine. Levels of free carnitine were significantly and

independently associated with the severity of fatigue in patients with chronic

hepatitis C [OR = 2.019, P = 0.02, CI 95% (1.01–1.23)].

Conclusions  In patients with chronic hepatitis C, the severity of fatigue is

associated with a low level of carnitine, suggesting that an oral

supplementation may be effective to relieve fatigue in chronic hepatitis C. The

underlying mechanism of fatigue in IBS does not seem to involve carnitine.