Difference between revisions of "Acetyl L-carnitine (ALCAR)"

From MyWiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 16: Line 16:
  
 
[http://alsanesthetics.org/research/solving-the-puzzle/potential-therapeutics-foci-of-intervention/82-alcar Studies on ALS: ALCAR]
 
[http://alsanesthetics.org/research/solving-the-puzzle/potential-therapeutics-foci-of-intervention/82-alcar Studies on ALS: ALCAR]
 +
 +
 +
== References ==
 +
  
 
[1]
 
[1]

Revision as of 10:02, 30 September 2015

Wikipedia page

Acetyl- L-carnitine’s (ALCAR) transport of the important metabolic factor Acetyl CoA into the mitochondria increases energy production. Similar in structure to acetylcholine, it also stimulates acetylcholine production and enhances cellular membrane health.


Effects on ALS

In an August 2013 Phase II double-blinded study [1], ALCAR showed signs of slowing down progression in human patients between 40-70 years and on Riluzole.

Discussion threads on the ALSTDI forum

Low Acetyl-L-Carnitine levels and ALS - Huge piece of the puzzle?


Pubmed link collection at Studies on ALS

Studies on ALS: ALCAR


References

[1] <bibtex>@article{Beghi2013, abstract = {Our objective was to assess the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) with riluzole on disability and mortality of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Definite/probable ALS patients, 40-70 years of age, duration 6-24 months, self-sufficient (i.e. able to swallow, cut food/handle utensils, and walk), and with forced vital capacity (FVC) > 80\% entered a pilot double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial and were followed for 48 weeks. ALC or placebo 3 g/day was added to riluzole 100 mg/day. Primary endpoint: number of patients no longer self-sufficient. Secondary endpoints: changes in ALSFRS-R, MRC, FVC and McGill Quality of Life (QoL) scores. Analysis was made in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) population, completers and completers/compliers (i.e. taking > 75\% of study drug). Forty-two patients received ALC and 40 placebo. In the ITT population, 34 (80.9\%) patients receiving ALC and 39 (97.5\%) receiving placebo became non-self-sufficient (p = 0.0296). In the PP analysis, percentages were 84.4 and 100.0\% (p = 0.0538), respectively. Mean ALSFRS-R scores at 48 weeks were 33.6 (SD 10.4) and 27.6 (9.9) (p = 0.0388), respectively, and mean FVC scores 90.3 (32.6) and 58.6 (31.2) (p = 0.0158), respectively. Median survival was 45 months (ALC) and 22 months (placebo) (p = 0.0176). MRC, QoL and adverse events were similar. In conclusion, ALC may be effective, well-tolerated and safe in ALS. A pivotal phase III trial is needed.}, author = {Beghi, Ettore and Pupillo, Elisabetta and Bonito, Virginio and Buzzi, Paolo and Caponnetto, Claudia and Chi\`{o}, Adriano and Corbo, Massimo and Giannini, Fabio and Inghilleri, Maurizio and Bella, Vincenzo La and Logroscino, Giancarlo and Lorusso, Lorenzo and Lunetta, Christian and Mazzini, Letizia and Messina, Paolo and Mora, Gabriele and Perini, Michele and Quadrelli, Maria Lidia and Silani, Vincenzo and Simone, Isabella L and Tremolizzo, Lucio}, doi = {10.3109/21678421.2013.764568}, issn = {2167-9223}, journal = {Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis \& frontotemporal degeneration}, keywords = {Acetylcarnitine,Acetylcarnitine: therapeutic use,Adult,Aged,Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: drug therapy,Disease Progression,Double-Blind Method,Drug Therapy, Combination,Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists,Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists: therapeutic use,Female,Humans,Male,Middle Aged,Nootropic Agents,Nootropic Agents: therapeutic use,Pilot Projects,Quality of Life,Riluzole,Riluzole: therapeutic use,Treatment Outcome,Vital Capacity}, month = sep, number = {5-6}, pages = {397--405}, pmid = {23421600}, title = Template:Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of acetyl-L-carnitine for ALS., url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23421600}, volume = {14}, year = {2013} } </bibtex>