Cancer cachexia is a multifaceted syndrome characterized, among many symptoms, by extensive muscle wasting. Chronic systemic inflammation, partly triggered and sustained by cytokines, as well as increased oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of this complex metabolic disorder. L-carnitine plays a central role in the metabolism of fatty acids and shows important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Systemic carnitine depletion has been described in several diseases, and it is characterized by fatigue, muscle weakness, and decreased tolerance to metabolic stress. In cachectic cancer patients, low serum carnitine levels have been reported, and this change has been suggested to play an important contributory role in the development of cachexia. Based on these data, carnitine supplementation has been tested in preliminary studies concerning human cachexia, resulting in improved fatigue and quality of life. We present here a review of clinical and experimental evidence regarding the use of carnitine supplementation in the management of cancer cachexia. © 2011 The Author(s).
L-carnitine and cancer cachexia: Clinical and experimental aspects / Renata, Silverio; Laviano, Alessandro; ROSSI FANELLI, Filippo; Marilia, Seelaender. - In: JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA, SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE. - ISSN 2190-5991. - 2:1(2011), pp. 37-44. [10.1007/s13539-011-0017-7]
L-carnitine and cancer cachexia: Clinical and experimental aspects
LAVIANO, Alessandro;ROSSI FANELLI, Filippo;
2011
Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a multifaceted syndrome characterized, among many symptoms, by extensive muscle wasting. Chronic systemic inflammation, partly triggered and sustained by cytokines, as well as increased oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of this complex metabolic disorder. L-carnitine plays a central role in the metabolism of fatty acids and shows important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Systemic carnitine depletion has been described in several diseases, and it is characterized by fatigue, muscle weakness, and decreased tolerance to metabolic stress. In cachectic cancer patients, low serum carnitine levels have been reported, and this change has been suggested to play an important contributory role in the development of cachexia. Based on these data, carnitine supplementation has been tested in preliminary studies concerning human cachexia, resulting in improved fatigue and quality of life. We present here a review of clinical and experimental evidence regarding the use of carnitine supplementation in the management of cancer cachexia. © 2011 The Author(s).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.