[Level of total plasma carnitine in patients with chronic renal failure in the course of diabetes and other etiologies treated with hemodialysis].

In uraemic patients disturbances in carnitine metabolism are observed. Aim of the study was to assess total carnitine level in haemodialyzed patients and influence of dialyzer type on this level before, during and after haemodialysis (HD). We examined 46 patients divided into 3 groups: I--16 non-diabetic uraemic patients haemodialyzed using polysulfone dialyzer; II--10 diabetic patients haemodialyzed using polysulfone dialyzer, III--20 non-diabetic uraemic patients haemodialyzed with cuprophane dialyzer. Total plasma carnitine level was estimated using colorimetric method according to Wieland et al. Total carnitine level in diabetic haemodialyzed patients was significantly lower comparing to non-diabetic ones but in both groups a significant decrease during HD was present. Dialyzer type had no influence on carnitine elimination.