Determination of carnitine ester profile in the children with type 1 diabetes: a valuable step towards a better management.

Objective

This study is designed to investigate the levels of carnitine and acylcarnitines (ACs) in the children with diabetes type 1 compared to the healthy subjects.

Methods

Forty-two type 1 diabetic children and healthy subjects were recruited in the study, respectively. In addition to FBS and Hb A1C, free carnitine and ACs in butyl-ester form in the fasting blood samples were assessed by isotope dilution mass spectrometry for all diabetics and controls using the tandem mass spectrometry system.

Results

Diabetic patients had a higher level of C, C4, C6, C14, C18:2, and C18:2OH. Females had elevated C14:2 compared to the males. The C18:2 and C18:2OH levels were elevated as the Hb A1C level increased. The C18:2, C14OH were mostly increased in the prediabetic and diabetic patients, respectively.

Conclusion

Increased ACs level indicates the increased acyl-CoA intermediates for the fatty acids and amino acids oxidation.