Abstract
Carnitine is essential for skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism (mitochondrial oxidation of long chain fatty acids), and it was pointed that graded treadmill performance was improved with the administration of carnitine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of L-carnitine (900 mg/day for 3 months) on symptom, exercise performance, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans. In 33 patients, the activity domain measures of Vascular Quality of Life (VascuQOL, Japanese version), which are disease-specific questionnaire, were significantly improved between baseline and 3 months (p<0.05). The other measures did not show significant results, but demonstrated improved tendency in Brachial Artery Pulse Wave Velocity (baPWV), Augmentation Index (AI), 6 minutes maximum walking distance (6MD), and Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ). Results indicated that carnitine affects impairment of skeletal muscle, suggesting possible beneficial effects on improvement of atherosclerosis.
