Decreased Level of Serum Carnitine Might Lead to Arteriosclerosis Progression Via the Accumulation of Advanced Glycation End Products in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Carnitine is reported to improve insulin resistance and reduce oxidative stress. Hyperglycemia and increased oxidative stress are well known to promote the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that can lead to arteriosclerosis in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (HD). In the present study, we aimed to determine whether decreased level of serum carnitine accelerated arteriosclerosis and to clarify the relationships between carnitine, AGEs, and arteriosclerosis in HD patients.