L-carnitine and rehabilitative respiratory physiokinesitherapy: metabolic and ventilatory response in chronic respiratory insufficiency.

Twelve subjects suffering from type A chronic respiratory insufficiency were admitted to a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The aim of the trial was the evaluation of the effects of the oral administration of L-carnitine, 2 g twice daily for 15 days, on the metabolic and respiratory parameters, at the mild physical work load involved in rehabilitative respiratory physiokinesitherapy. As previously reported, treatment with L-carnitine prevents the metabolic acidosis and hyperventilation caused by physiokinesitherapy in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency. In correlation with the metabolic role of L-carnitine, the results of this trial suggest that L-carnitine is an essential training-like metabolic factor, particularly when the physical performance is impaired by inadequate respiratory function.