Copyright © 1992 by the European Society of Cardiology.
© 1992 The European Society of Cardiology
Superiority of L-propionylcarnitine vs L-carnitine in improving walking capacity in patients with peripheral vascular disease: an acute, intravenous, double-blind, cross-over study
Department of Medicine, 2nd Medical School, University of Naples ‘Federico II’. Naples, and Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Bari Italy
Received 6 November 1990; revised 8 February 1991; .
Correspondence. Gregorio Brevetti, via Iannelli 45 A, 80131 Napoli, Italy
Abstract
The effects of L-propionylcarnitine on walking capacity were assessed in a group of patients with peripheral vascular disease. in 12 patients. 300mg of L-propnionylcarnitine, given intravenously as a single bolus did not affect walking capacity, while 600mg increased both initial claudication distance from the placebo value of 179±114 to 245 ± 129 m (P<0.05), and maximal walking distance from 245±124 to 349±155m (P<0.05). Once the efficacious dose of L-propionylcarnitine was assessed, its effect was compared to that of an equimolar dose of L-carnitine (500 mg i.v.) according to a double-blind, double-dummy, cross-over design. In 14 patients, both treatments improved walking capacity; however, the analysis of variance showed that the increase in maximal walking distance with L-propionylcarnitine was greater than that with L-carnitine (P < 0.05). Finally, in seven additional patients, the effects of L-propionylcarnitine and L-carnitine on the haemodynamics of the affected limb were assessed by an ultrasonic duplex system. Results indicated that both drugs did not affect the blood velocity and the blood flow rate in the ischaemic leg, thus suggesting that the beneficial effect on walking capacity was dependent on a metabolic effect. In conclusion, L-propionylcarnitine improves walking capacity in patients with peripheral vascular disease, probably acting through a metabolic mechanism. On a molar basis, this beneficial effect is greater than that observed with L-carnitine and, thus, the findings of the present study may have clinical relevance in terms of treatment cost and patient compliance.
Key Words: L-propionylcarnitine • L-carnitine • peripheral vascular disease • walking capacity
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  A. Silvestro, V. Schiano, R. Bucur, G. Brevetti, F. Scopacasa, and M. Chiariello Effect of Propionylcarnitine on Changes in Endothelial Function and Plasma Levels of Adhesion Molecules Induced by Acute Exercise in Patients with Intermittent Claudication Angiology, March 1, 2006; 57(2): 145 - 154. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Mancinelli, A. M. Evans, R. L. Nation, and A. Longo Uptake of L-Carnitine and Its Short-Chain Ester Propionyl-L-carnitine in the Isolated Perfused Rat Liver J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., October 1, 2005; 315(1): 118 - 124. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. M Dean Pharmacologic treatment for intermittent claudication Vascular Medicine, November 1, 2002; 7(4): 301 - 309. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W. R. Hiatt Medical Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease and Claudication N. Engl. J. Med., May 24, 2001; 344(21): 1608 - 1621. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F L. Pasini, P. Capecchi, and T Di Perri Adenosine and chronic ischemia of the lower limbs Vascular Medicine, November 1, 2000; 5(4): 243 - 250. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. Brevetti, C. Diehm, D. Lambert, and on behalf of the Study Investigators European multicenter study on propionyl-L-carnitine in intermittent claudication J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., November 1, 1999; 34(5): 1618 - 1624. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
X. Wu, W. Huang, P. D. Prasad, P. Seth, D. P. Rajan, F. H. Leibach, J. Chen, S. J. Conway, and V. Ganapathy Functional Characteristics and Tissue Distribution Pattern of Organic Cation Transporter 2 (OCTN2), an Organic Cation/Carnitine Transporter J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., September 1, 1999; 290(3): 1482 - 1492. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. M. Evans, A. Mancinelli, and A. Longo J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., June 1, 1997; 281(3): 1071 - 1076. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Corsi, M. Pollastri, E. Marrapodi, D. Leanza, S. Giordano, and S. D'Iddio L-Propionylcarnitine Effect on Postexercise and Postischemic Hyperemia in Patients Affected by Peripheral Vascular Disease Angiology, August 1, 1995; 46(8): 705 - 713. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W. R. Hiatt, A. T. Hirsch, J. G. Regensteiner, and E. P. Brass Clinical Trials for Claudication : Assessment of Exercise Performance, Functional Status, and Clinical End Points Circulation, August 1, 1995; 92(3): 614 - 621. [Full Text]
|
|