The purpose of our study was to evaluate the influence of serum carnitine levels on the metabolic status and lipid profile of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We studied the lipid profile, the metabolic status (triceps, skinfold thickness, midarm muscle circumference, relative body weight, serum total protein, albumin), and serum carnitine levels in 22 patients (11 male, 11 female) on CAPD. The results are summarized as follows: mean serum total carnitine (TC) was normal, free carnitine (FC) was reduced, while acylcarnitine (AC) was elevated in our patients (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between TC (p < 0.02), FC (p < 0.05), and serum total protein. A positive correlation was also found between TC (p < 0.05), AC (p < 0.02), AC/FC (p < 0.02), and relative body weight, and TC (p < 0.001), FC (p < 0.02), AC (p < 0.01), AC/FC (p < 0.02), and triglycerides. No correlation was found between carnitine and mid-arm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, albumin, total cholesterol, and HDL- or LDL-cholesterol. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

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