Decreased insulin sensitivity (e.g. insulin resistance) is a hallmark and a major pathogenic
factor of type 2 diabetes. It is the key factor of the metabolic syndrome - a cluster of
arterial hypertension, obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, coagulation
abnormalities,albuminuria and increased cardiovascular risk - that may precede or accompany
type 2 diabetes.
Insulin function and the abnormalities associated with insulin resistance, may have a major
role in preventing type 2 diabetes and, in the long-term, diabetes micro- and macrovascular
complications. Carnitine is involved in lipids and carbohydrates metabolism and
acetyl-L-carnitine(ALC), an intramitochondrial carrier of acylic group, may modulate cell
fuel substrate utilization. Studies found that carnitine may improve insulin sensitivity and
glucose disposal in healthy subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes. A recent study
also found that a primed constant infusion of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) may increase glucose
utilization in type 2 diabetic patients, possibly restoring the glycogen synthase activity.
Thus, we designed the Acetylcarnitine in insulin resistance study, a pilot,
sequential,longitudinal study aimed to assess whether acetyl-carnitine may improve insulin
function and lipid profile in patients at increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Phase:
Phase 2
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research