Efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation on frailty status and its biomarkers,nutritional status,and physical and cognitive function among prefrail older adults: A double-blind,randomized,placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Frailty is a biological syndrome of decreased reserve and resistance to stressors due to decline in multiple physiological systems. Amino acid deficiency,including L-carnitine,has been proposed to be associated with its pathophysiology. Nevertheless,the efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation on frailty status has not been documented. Thus,this study aimed to determine the effect of 10-week L-carnitine supplement (1.5 g/day) on frailty status and its biomarkers and also physical function,cognition,and nutritional status among prefrail older adults in Klang Valley,Malaysia. Methodology: This study is a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted among 50 prefrail subjects randomized into two groups (26 in L-carnitine group and 24 in placebo group). Outcome measures include frailty status using Fried criteria and Frailty Index accumulation of deficit,selected frailty biomarkers (interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-alpha,and insulin-like growth factor-1),physical function,cognitive function,nutritional status and biochemical profile. Results: The results indicated that the mean scores of Frailty Index score and hand grip test were significantly improved in subjects supplemented with L-carnitine (P0.05 for both parameters) as compared to no change in the placebo group. Based on Fried criteria,four subjects (three from the L-carnitine group and one from the control group) transited from prefrail status to robust after the intervention. Conclusion: L-carnitine supplementation has a favorable effect on the functional status and fatigue in prefrail older adults.