Effect of L-carnitine on DNA damage and oxidative stress in maintenance hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C virus infection in East China

Objectives: L-carnitine has been used as therapy in hemodialysis patients for many years. When HCV was present, higher rates of patient mortality displayed. However, no study is concerned with the synergistic effect of L-carnitine and HCV. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of L-carnitine on the markers of DNA damage and oxidative stress in maintenance hemodialysis patients with HCV infection. Material and methods: The blood samples were collected from 63 patients from March 2011 to November 2013 (43 HCV-positive patients in hemodialysis and 20 HCV-negative patients on dialysis). DNA damage was evaluated by cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-Cyt) assay. Oxidative stress indicators (superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione) were determined with the kits. Results: The results showed that L-carnitine had no effect on the levels of free radical indicator, free radical damage indicator and endogenous antioxidant enzymes. The frequencies of micronuclei (MN) and nuclear buds (NBUD) were remarkably reduced after the treatment of L-carnitine. Conclusion: Taken together, our findings indicate that L-carnitine supplementation reduced oxidative DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of maintenance hemodialysis patients with HCV infection. The patients might benefit from L-carnitine supplementation by inhibiting DNA damage.