Abstract
Background
Fat metabolism is known to be altered in hypertriglyceridemia. Fat oxidation requires
carnitine, which can be obtained either from the diet (animal or dairy products) or
through synthesis in the body using both lysine and vitamin B6.
Objective
The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of lysine, vitamin B6, and carnitine supplementation on both glycemia and the lipid profiles, specifically
triglyceride (TG) levels, in men with hypertriglyceridemia.
Methods
This 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at a Lebanese
medical center. A total of 85 hypertriglyceridemic (TG> 150 mg/dL) male patients were
randomized to 1 of 5 groups and given supplements of lysine (1 g/d), vitamin B6 (50 mg/d), lysine (1 g/d) + vitamin B6 (50 mg/d), carnitine (1 g/d), or placebo for 12 weeks. The lipid profile (TG, total
cholesterol, LDL-C, and HDL-C) and fasting plasma glucose levels were assessed at
baseline and at 6 and 12 weeks.
Results
Adults (∼50 years) Lebanese males from a low socioeconomic status in Beirut were given
the appropriate supplements. Vitamin B6 supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in total cholesterol
and HDL-C of ∼10%. In addition, plasma TG was reduced by 36.6 mg/dL at 6 weeks, whereas
levels in the placebo group increased by 18 mg/dL; this difference failed to reach
statistical significance. No major changes in the lipid profile were observed in the
lysine and carnitine groups or when lysine was added to vitamin B6.
Conclusion
Vitamin B6 supplementation in these male patients with hypertriglyceridemia reduced plasma total
cholesterol and HDL-C concentrations.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 23, 2012
Accepted:
June 19,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
