Cuturic Miroslav, Abramson Ruth K, Moran Robert R, Hardin James W
South Carolina Department of Mental Health and University of South Carolina School of Medicine, SC 29203, USA.
J Psychiatr Pract. 2011 Jan;17(1):35-40. doi: 10.1097/01.pra.0000393842.63841.bc.
Carnitine deficiency may be encountered in the context of chronic psychiatric illness, particularly with the chronic use of valproic acid. Despite the importance of carnitine in lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function, its metabolic effects have not been studied in a psychiatric population.
To raise awareness regarding the possible metabolic implications of carnitine homeostasis in psychiatric patients.
Retrospective database review in a subgroup of 23 patients with documented hypo carnitinemia.
Statistical analysis revealed a negative correlation between serum carnitine levels and lipid levels. Initial fasting plasma glucose levels correlated positively with acylcarnitine/free carnitine ratios, suggesting unfavorable secondary effects of carnitine insufficiency, which resolved once carnitine was supplemented.
Carnitine is a plausible substrate for future investigations of metabolic status in psychiatric patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether serum carnitine levels may be useful as a marker for psychiatric patients at risk for developing metabolic syndrome, and whether carnitine supplementation may reduce that risk. (Journal of Psychiatric Practice 2011;17:35-40).
肉碱缺乏可能出现在慢性精神疾病的情况下，尤其是长期使用丙戊酸时。尽管肉碱在脂质代谢和线粒体功能中很重要，但其代谢作用尚未在精神科人群中进行研究。
提高对精神科患者肉碱稳态可能产生的代谢影响的认识。
对23例有低肉碱血症记录的患者亚组进行回顾性数据库分析。
统计分析显示血清肉碱水平与脂质水平呈负相关。初始空腹血糖水平与酰基肉碱/游离肉碱比值呈正相关，提示肉碱不足的不良继发效应，补充肉碱后该效应消失。
肉碱是未来研究精神科患者代谢状态的一个合理靶点。需要进一步研究以评估血清肉碱水平是否可作为精神科患者发生代谢综合征风险的标志物，以及补充肉碱是否可降低该风险。（《精神科实践杂志》2011年；17:35 - 40）
