Impact of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid profile parameters in overweight and obese women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

IF 3.9 2区医学 Q2 NUTRITION & DIETETICS

Nutrition & Metabolism Pub Date : 2026-06-22 DOI:10.1186/s12986-026-01159-4

Yongmei Yu, Dongping Xu, Siyi Shang, Yuanxia Liu, Zhengxian Qian

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Abstract

Background and aim: L-carnitine plays a central role in fatty acid metabolism and has been proposed as a potential strategy for improving lipid regulation. However, evidence from clinical trials remains inconsistent, and female-specific data are scarce. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid profiles specifically in women with overweight or obesity.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies enrolled women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² and compared L-carnitine supplementation with placebo or no intervention. Pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model.

Results: Ten RCTs were included. L-carnitine supplementation significantly reduced TG (WMD: - 8.01 mg/dL; 95%CI: - 15.21 to - 0.81), TC (WMD: - 7.85 mg/dL; 95%CI: - 14.54 to - 1.16), and LDL-C (WMD: - 5.59 mg/dL;95%CI: - 10.02 to - 1.16). No significant overall effect was found for HDL-C (WMD:1.09 mg/dL;95%CI: - 1.79 to 3.99). Subgroup analyses indicated stronger effects at higher doses, shorter intervention durations, and in participants with elevated baseline lipid levels.

Conclusion: L-carnitine supplementation provides significant improvements in TG, TC, and LDL-C among overweight and obese women, although HDL-C responses remain inconsistent. These findings suggest a potential adjunctive role for L-carnitine in cardiometabolic risk management.

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补充左旋肉碱对超重和肥胖妇女血脂参数的影响：随机对照试验的系统回顾和荟萃分析。

背景与目的：左旋肉碱在脂肪酸代谢中起核心作用，被认为是改善脂质调节的潜在策略。然而，来自临床试验的证据仍然不一致，女性特异性数据很少。本系统综述和荟萃分析旨在评估补充左旋肉碱对脂质谱的影响，特别是超重或肥胖妇女。方法：根据PRISMA指南对随机对照试验（rct）进行系统评价和荟萃分析。符合条件的研究纳入BMI≥25 kg/m²的女性，并将左卡尼汀补充剂与安慰剂或无干预进行比较。采用随机效应模型计算95%置信区间（ci）的合并加权平均差（wmd）。结果：纳入10项随机对照试验。补充左旋肉碱可显著降低TG （WMD: - 8.01 mg/dL;95%CI: - 15.21至- 0.81）、TC （WMD: - 7.85 mg/dL;95%CI: - 14.54至- 1.16）和LDL-C （WMD: - 5.59 mg/dL;95%CI: - 10.02至- 1.16）。对HDL-C没有明显的总体影响（WMD:1.09 mg/dL;95%CI: - 1.79至3.99）。亚组分析表明，在高剂量、短干预时间和基线脂质水平升高的参与者中，效果更强。结论：补充左旋肉碱可以显著改善超重和肥胖女性的TG、TC和LDL-C，尽管HDL-C的反应仍然不一致。这些发现表明左旋肉碱在心脏代谢风险管理中具有潜在的辅助作用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Nutrition & Metabolism 医学-营养学

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Nutrition & Metabolism publishes studies with a clear focus on nutrition and metabolism with applications ranging from nutrition needs, exercise physiology, clinical and population studies, as well as the underlying mechanisms in these aspects. The areas of interest for Nutrition & Metabolism encompass studies in molecular nutrition in the context of obesity, diabetes, lipedemias, metabolic syndrome and exercise physiology. Manuscripts related to molecular, cellular and human metabolism, nutrient sensing and nutrient–gene interactions are also in interest, as are submissions that have employed new and innovative strategies like metabolomics/lipidomics or other omic-based biomarkers to predict nutritional status and metabolic diseases. Key areas we wish to encourage submissions from include: -how diet and specific nutrients interact with genes, proteins or metabolites to influence metabolic phenotypes and disease outcomes; -the role of epigenetic factors and the microbiome in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases and their influence on metabolic responses to diet and food components; -how diet and other environmental factors affect epigenetics and microbiota; the extent to which genetic and nongenetic factors modify personal metabolic responses to diet and food compositions and the mechanisms involved; -how specific biologic networks and nutrient sensing mechanisms attribute to metabolic variability.