ArticleBMC nutrition2025
The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on anthropometric and malnutrition status in acute ischemic stroke patients: a triple-blinded randomized clinical trial.
Article in BMC nutrition, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Prognostic value of acylcarnitine-to-free carnitine ratio in ischemic stroke: associations with systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis.European journal of clinical nutrition · 2026Article
- Pharmaceutical Roots to Mitochondrial Routes: Targeting Neurodegeneration.Pharmaceutical research · 2026Review
- Current status and advances in comprehensive treatment of acute ischemic stroke in China: from evidence-based guidelines to clinical practice.Frontiers in neurologyReview
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMalnutrition is a significant challenge in stroke patients, affecting both rehabilitation and independence. This study aims to evaluate whether early L-carnitine supplementation can effectively improve anthropometric parameters and malnutrition status in acute-phase ischemic stroke patients to mitigate the catabolic state.
methodsEighty-two first-ever ischemic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the L-carnitine group (1000 mg three times/day for seven consecutive days) or the matching placebo group. The study outcomes based on intention-to-treat analyses included changes in weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, arm muscle area, calf circumference, serum ALB and malnutrition status over the seven-day treatment protocol. Malnutrition was assessed based on the serum ALB concentration, mid-arm muscle circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied for assessing the between-group changes along with adjusting the baseline mean value effect.
resultsPatients receiving L-carnitine had significantly lower changes in terms of weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, and calf circumference than did those in the placebo group. After the intervention, the placebo group experienced a significantly greater reduction in the mid-arm muscle circumference indicator (P < 0.001). The between-group change in the serum ALB concentration significantly increased in the L-carnitine group (P = 0.001). Moreover, the L-carnitine group was less malnourished than the placebo group [17 (41.5%) vs. 30 (73.2%), respectively; P = 0.01], after the intrvention. The "recovery" frequency was significantly greater in the L-carnitine group (18 (43.9%) vs. 3 (7.3%), P < 0.001) than the placebo group.
conclusionsEarly L-carnitine supplementation effectively improves anthropometric indices and malnutrition, muscle wasting, and rapid weight loss in acute ischemic stroke patients, highlighting its potential as a supportive nutritional therapy during stroke rehabilitation.
trial registrationThe current clinical trial study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (registration code: IRCT20221206056734N1) at 2023-02-11.
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