Effect of L-carnitine supplementation in comparison with moderate aerobic training on serum inlammatory parameters in healthy obese women

Abstract

Aim. Obesity is an important worldwide public health problem and considered a disease of chronic low-grade inlammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation in comparison with moderate aerobic exercise training on serum inlammatory parameters in healthy obese women. Methods. In this double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 44 obese women were randomly assigned to 4 groups (N.=11) as follows: 1: L-carnitine supplementation (2 g/day) (CAR), 2: aerobic training + placebo (EXR+PLA), 3: L-carnitine supplementation + aerobic training (CAR+EXR) and 4: placebo (PLA). All intervention periods were eight weeks and subjects of aerobic training groups underwent 8-week aerobic training protocol (3 sessions a week [24 sessions]). Body Mass Index, daily dietary intake and serum free L-carnitine, IL-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and IL-10 levels of subjects were measured before and after interventions. Results. Interventions had no signiicant effects on body weight, BMI, daily dietary intake and serum IL-10 levels of subjects in all groups. Serum free L-carnitine concentration increased signiicantly after interventions in CAR and CAR+EXR groups. Signiicant decreases of IL-6 were observed in EXR+PLA and CAR+EXR groups compared with placebo group. L-carnitine supplementation plus aerobic training led to signiicant decrease of serum Hs- CRP levels in CAR+EXR group compared with baseline values. Conclusion. L-carnitine supplementation did not affect serum IL-6, Hs-CRP and IL-10 levels in obese women. Aerobic training alone or in combination with L-carnitine had favorable effect on serum Il-6 and Hs-CRP levels as markers of inlammation in studied subjects.