Effect of l-carnitine supplementation on muscle cramps induced by stroke: A case report.

Abstract

l-carnitine, a compound responsible for transportation of acyl groups across cell membranes and modulating intracellular acyl-coenzyme A levels, is reported to reduce muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis and diabetes and those on dialysis. A 79-y-old man with right-sided paralysis was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with cerebral infarction. Nocturnal leg cramps appeared in the affected side and caused sleep disturbance. Supplementation with l-carnitine reduced the number of nocturnal leg cramps and alleviated sleep disturbance. It also plays an important role in nerve protection and treatment for carnitine deficiency. Patients with stroke-induced paralysis experience muscle wasting, which might reduce pooled carnitine in the affected side. This case suggests that stroke may cause localized carnitine deficiency, and l-carnitine supplementation might be effective for muscle cramps induced by stroke. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of l-carnitine supplementation for muscle cramps triggered by cerebral infarction.

• Authors: Takao Miwa, Tatsunori Hanai, Kotaro Morino, Naoki Katsumura, Masahito Shimizu
• Journal: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) (Nutrition) Vol. 71 Pg. 110638 (03 2020) ISSN: 1873-1244 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 31864971 (Publication Type: Case Reports)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Carnitine

Topics

• Aged
• Carnitine (administration & dosage)
• Dietary Supplements
• Humans
• Leg (physiopathology)
• Male
• Muscle Cramp (etiology, therapy)
• Stroke (complications, physiopathology)