Carnitine does not improve weight loss outcomes in valproate-treated bipolar patients consuming an energy-restricted, low-fat diet

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#adult #anticonvulsants #bipolar-disorder #body-mass-index #carnitine

Carnitine does not improve weight loss outcomes in valproate-treated bipolar patients consuming an energy-restricted, low-fat diet

Elmslie et al., 2006 | Bipolar Disord | Rct

Citation

Elmslie Jane L, Porter Richard J, ... Mann Jim I. Carnitine does not improve weight loss outcomes in valproate-treated bipolar patients consuming an energy-restricted, low-fat diet. Bipolar Disord. 2006-Oct;8(5 Pt 1):503-7

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Carnitine deficiency impairs fatty acid beta-oxidation and may partly explain weight gain in valproate-treated patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether l-carnitine supplementation improves weight loss outcomes in bipolar patients taking sodium valproate. METHODS: Sixty bipolar patients with clinically significant weight gain thought to be related to sodium valproate, who had been taking sodium valproate for >or=6 months, were randomized to l-carnitine (15 mg/kg/day) or placebo for 26 weeks, in conjunction with a moderately energy-restricted, low-fat diet. The primary outcome measure was weight change. RESULTS: l-carnitine had no effect on mean weight loss compared with placebo (-1.9 kg versus - 0.9 kg) (F = 0.778, df = 1,58, p = 0.381). The number of people in each group able to lose any weight was identical ( = 0, p = 1.0); more patients in the carnitine group (nine versus five) achieved a clinically significant weight loss (>or=5%) but this was not statistically significant (p = 1.0, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: At the dose prescribed in this study carnitine supplementation did not improve weight loss outcomes in valproate-treated bipolar patients consuming an energy-restricted, low-fat diet.

Key Findings

l-carnitine had no effect on mean weight loss compared with placebo (-1.9 kg versus - 0.9 kg) (F = 0.778, df = 1,58, p = 0.381). The number of people in each group able to lose any weight was identical ( = 0, p = 1.0); more patients in the carnitine group (nine versus five) achieved a clinically significant weight loss (>or=5%) but this was not statistically significant (p = 1.0, Fisher's exact test).

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population clinically significant weight gain
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Body Mass Index
  • Carnitine
  • Diet, Fat-Restricted
  • Diet, Reducing
  • Energy Intake
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Valproic Acid
  • Weight Loss

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: carnitine-fatigue

Provenance

  • PMID: 17042889
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09