Effect of l-carnitine supplementation on liver fat content and cardiometabolic indices in overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

Summary Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder among reproductive-age women, and is associated with cardiovascular diseases as well as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The recent evidence suggested the beneficial effects of l -carnitine in women with PCOS. Objective The present study aimed to investigate the effect of l -carnitine supplementation on liver fat content and cardiometabolic outcomes in overweight/obese women with PCOS. Methods The present study was designed as a 12-week double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial. Sixty-two overweight/obese women with PCOS were assigned into the treatment (received 1000 mg/d l -carnitine capsule) and the control (received placebo capsule) groups. The outcomes included lipid accumulation product (LAP), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), atherogenic coefficient (AC) and Castelli II indices. Results At the end of the trial, there was no significant difference between the treatment and the control groups in terms of LAP (−1.1 vs. −4.0; P = 0.45), AIP (0.0 vs. −0.09; P = 0.14), AC (−0.2 vs. −0.8; P = 0.06) and Castelli II index (−0.2 vs. −0.6; P = 0.07) after controlling the mean change of waist circumference. Conclusion l -carnitine supplementation for 12 weeks has no beneficial effect on liver fat content and cardiometabolic outcomes in overweight or obese women with PCOS. Trial registration: Registered on 30 December 2019 at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20191016045131N1.