L-Carnitine HIV

Carnitine and HIV
 Recently, carnitine deficiency has been demonstrated in patients
infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In a study
conducted on 29 AIDS sufferers with a previous history of drug
use, with all subjects having taken the AIDS drug AZT for 2-28
months. Analysis of fluids from AIDS patients shows
significantly reduced levels of both total and free carnitine in
over 70% of subjects. This subjects that AIDS patients may
become carnitine depleted and are therefore at risk from
alterations in fatty acid oxidation and energy supply. Some of
the AIDS symptoms eg. cachexia, muscle weakness, cardiac
problems, and hypometabolism are most likely due to an
underlying deficiency of carnitine. Note: low carnitine
status is a consequence of HIV/AIDS or the AZT used to treat it,
and not a cause of this immune deficiency disease.