Carnitine Supplementation in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Rationale: Type 2 diabetic patients are characterized by a decreased metabolic flexibility: a reduced capability to switch from fat oxidation in the basal state to carbohydrate oxidation in the insulin-stimulated state. This metabolic inflexibility is an early hallmark in the development of diabetes. Recent evidence suggests that a low carnitine availability may limit acetylcarnitine formation, thereby reducing metabolic flexibility. Thus, when substrate flux in the muscle is high, acetyl-CoA concentrations increase, leading to inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and thereby reducing glucose oxidation. The conversion of acetyl-CoA to acetylcarnitine relieves this acetyl-CoA pressure on PDH. In humans, carnitine supplementation is sometimes also beneficial, but not in everyone. Here we aim to test whether carnitine improves insulin sensitivity, furthermore, whether acetylcarnitine concentration at baseline or other characteristics are associated with the response (in insulin sensitivity) to carnitine supplementation. Furthermore, we will examine the potentially positive effect of carnitine supplementation in type 2 diabetes patients on intrahepatic lipid content, acetylcarnitine formation, blood plasma metabolites, body composition, physical performance and quality of life Objective: The primary objective is to investigate whether carnitine improves insulin sensitivity, furthermore, whether acetylcarnitine concentration at baseline or other characteristics are associated with the response (in insulin sensitivity) to carnitine supplementation. Furthermore, we will examine the potentially positive effect of carnitine supplementation in type 2 diabetes patients on intrahepatic lipid content, acetylcarnitine formation, blood plasma metabolites, body composition, physical performance and quality of life Study design: The current study is an interventional design with one study arm. Subjects will not be blinded for the intervention since all subjects will receive oral carnitine supplementation.

Study population: n=32, patient with type 2 diabetes (BMI 25-38, age 40-75 years) male and female will be included. Only subjects with relatively well-controlled non-insulin depended diabetes will be included.

Intervention (if applicable): Participants will be asked to take three chewing tablets of L-carnitine (330mg), three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), for 96 days.

Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary study endpoints are insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility, measured by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Secondary endpoints are maximal acetylcarnitine concentrations after exercise, Intrahepatic lipid content, body composition, metabolites in the blood before (i.e. glucose, free fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin), functional markers of physical performance, cognition, quality of life and quality of sleep.

Inclusion criteria

• Men and woman
• Age: 40-75 years
• Woman should be postmenopausal
• BMI: 25-38 kg/m2
• Stable dietary habits
• No use of medication interfering with investigated study parameters (as determined by responsible physician)
• Use of oral glucose lowering medication (metformin only or in combination with sulfonylurea agents)

Exclusion criteria

• Haemoglobin levels < 7.8 mmol/L
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Use of anticoagulants
• Insulin dependent type 2 diabetic patients.
• No signs of active liver or kidney malfunction.
• Engagement in exercise > 3 hours a week
• Being vegetarian or vegan (because of altered whole body carnitine status)
• Alcohol and/or drug abuse
• Unstable body weight (weight gain or loss > 5kg in the last 3 months)
• Significant food allergies/intolerances (seriously hampering study meals)
• Participation in another biomedical study within 1 month before the first study visit, which would possibly hamper our study results
• Medication use known to hamper subject's safety during the study procedures
• Subjects with contra-indications for MRI
• Subjects who intend to donate blood during the intervention or subjects who have donated blood less than three months before the start of the study
• Subjects who do not want to be informed about unexpected medical findings
• No signs of active diabetes-related co-morbidities like active cardiovascular diseases, active diabetic foot, polyneuropathy or retinopathy