L-Carnitine Supplementation could improve Clinical Symptom but not effect on C- reactive Protein and Malondialdehyde in Obese Women with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Backgrounds:L-carnitine decreases oxidation and inflammation by reducing the fatty acid in plasma and using oxygen in ATP synthesis. So, knee osteoarthritis (KOA) can be improved by reducing apoptotic chondrocytes. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of L-carnitine supplementation along with low calorie diet and low calorie diet alone on improvement of KOA among obese women. In other words, we aimed to investigate the additional effect of L- carnitine on improvement of KOA among obese women who received low calorie diet.Methods76 obese women with KOA were randomly assigned into two low-calorie diet groups; the first one received the 1000 mg L-carnitine (LCG) and with the second group took the placebo (PLG) (n = 38). Anthropometry indices, body composition, lipid profile, C- reactive Protein (CRP), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) WOMAC index were assessed at the baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: At the end of the study, the LCG showed significant improvements compared with the PLG in the total WOMAC scores (17.41 ± 9.81 compared with 23.50 ± 12.02 (P = 0.024)); physical function (11.15 ± 6. 56 compared with 15.61 ± 8.17 (P = 0.014)); BMI (-1.21 ± 0.84 kg/m2 compared with − 0.79 ± 0.70 kg/m2 (P = 0.027)). However, MDA, total cholesterol, fat and visceral fat mass decreased only in LCG significantly, but not in the PLG. Other variables did not have any significant changes. Conclusion: Oral administration of 1000 mg L-carnitine in 12 weeks could improve WOMAC score and BMI, but not affect CRP, MDA, and lipid profile. Further trials with higher doses and longer durations, are required to verify our results. IRCT registration number: IRCT2017011932026N2. Registration date: 2017-04-27.