Effect of an l-Carnitine–Containing Peritoneal Dialysate on Insulin Sensitivity in Patients Treated With CAPD: A 4-Month, Prospective, Multicenter Randomized Trial

Background In peritoneal dialysis, the high glucose load absorbed from dialysis fluid contributes to several metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance. We evaluate the efficacy of a peritoneal dialysis solution containing l-carnitine as an additive to improve insulin sensitivity. Study Design Multicenter parallel randomized controlled trial. Setting & Participants Nondiabetic uremic patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis enrolled in 8 peritoneal dialysis centers. Intervention Patients were randomly assigned to receive peritoneal dialysis diurnal exchanges with either a standard glucose-based solution (1.5% or 2.5% according to the patient's need) or a glucose-based solution (identical glucose amount) enriched with l-carnitine (0.1%, weight/volume; 2 g/bag) for 4 months, the nocturnal exchange with icodextrin being unmodified. Outcomes & Measurements The primary outcome was insulin sensitivity, measured by the magnitude of change from baseline in glucose infusion rate (in milligrams per kilogram of body weight per minute) during a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. Secondary outcomes were safety and tolerability, body fluid management, peritoneal dialysis efficiency parameters, and biochemistry tests. Results 35 patients were randomly assigned, whereas 27 patients (standard solution, n=12; experimental solution, n=15) were analyzed. Adverse events were not attributable to treatment. Glucose infusion rates in the l-carnitine–treated group increased from 3.8 ± 2.0 (SD) mg/kg/min at baseline to 5.0 ± 2.2 mg/kg/min at day 120 ( P = 0.03) compared with 4.8 ± 2.4 mg/kg/min at baseline and 4.7 ± 2.4 mg/kg/min at day 120 observed in the control group ( P = 0.8). The difference in glucose infusion rates between groups was 1.3 (95% CI, 0.0-2.6) mg/kg/min. In patients treated with l-carnitine–containing solution, urine volume did not change significantly ( P = 0.1) compared to a significant diuresis reduction found in the other group ( P = 0.02). For peritoneal function, no differences were observed during the observation period. Limitations Small sample size. Conclusions The use of l-carnitine in dialysis solutions may represent a new approach to improving insulin sensitivity in nondiabetic peritoneal dialysis patients.