Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41037123›Full record

Trial reportInflammopharmacology2025

L-carnitine as a novel approach for pain and inflammation relief in rheumatoid arthritis.

Abdallah A Eldisouky, Sahar K Hegazy, Salwa Elmorsy Abd Elghany

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in Inflammopharmacology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Abdallah A EldisoukyDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, 315272, Egypt. abdallahaboelazm605@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-1774-2451
Sahar K HegazyDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, 315272, Egypt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4516-926X
Salwa Elmorsy Abd ElghanyDepartment of Rheumatology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0901-8800

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation, largely mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Considering the established involvement of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) in RA, this research aimed to assess efficacy and safety of L-carnitine as an adjunct therapy targeting these pathways. Forty-six patients with active RA were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group1 (control group) received disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including methotrexate, leflunomide, and hydroxychloroquine. Group2 (L-carnitine group) received, DMARDs plus L-carnitine 500 mg twice daily for 12 weeks. A clinical evaluation was conducted, which included tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), pain intensity quantified via the visual analogue scale (VAS), and morning stiffness duration. Additionally, the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) and functional capability as measured by a modified health assessment questionnaire (MHAQ) were assessed. Laboratory evaluation included C-reactive protein (CRP), STAT3, and TGF-β1 measurement. All evaluations were executed both at baseline and following a 12-week treatment period. After 12 weeks, the L-carnitine group showed significant improvement in morning stiffness, VAS, TJC, CRP, DAS28, and MHAQ compared to baseline. While no significant within-group changes were observed in STAT3, TGF-β1 in the L-carnitine group, STAT3 levels increased significantly in the control group compared to baseline. In conclusion, L-carnitine in combination with DMARDs may enhance clinical outcomes in RA by mitigating systemic inflammation. Nevertheless, its impact on STAT3 and TGF-β1 remains unclear and warrants further research.

Indexed as

Antirheumatic AgentsArthritis, RheumatoidCarnitineInflammationPainAdultAgedC-Reactive ProteinFemaleHumansMaleMethotrexateMiddle AgedPain MeasurementSTAT3 Transcription FactorTransforming Growth Factor beta1Antirheumatic AgentsCarnitineC-Reactive ProteinMethotrexateSTAT3 Transcription FactorTransforming Growth Factor beta1JAK/STATL-carnitineRheumatoid arthritisTGF-β1

Identifiers

PMID41037123
PMCPMC12618341

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.