Effect of L-carnitine Supplementation on Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Responses and Blood Pressure Changes Following Resistance Exercise in Non-Athletic Overweight Young Men

Background: Amongst different therapeutic interventions, exercise can improve and control inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases. This study investigated the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on serum levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-4, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), nitric oxide (NO), and blood pressure after resistance exercise in young men.Methods: Twenty male volunteers were selected by targeted sampling, and were randomly divided into an experimental (L-carnitine supplement) and a control (placebo) groups. The subjects participated in a session of resistance exercise after taking 2 g/day of L-carnitine or a placebo for two weeks. Blood pressure was measured and blood samples after fastingwere obtained in four stages of baseline, pre-exercise, immediately, and 24 hours post-exercise.Results: Consumption of L-carnitine could significantly increase serum levels of L-carnitine, IL-4 levels and decrease IL-8 and TNFα levels in the experimental group in comparison to the control group. In the control group, a significant decrease in IL-4 level and an increase in TNFα level were observed. NO and IL-8 increased significantly in both groups immediately after exercise, and then decreased significantly in both groups 24 hours post-exercise. There were significant differences in IL-4, TNFα, and IL-8 levels between the groups at pre-exercise, immediately and 24 h post-exercise in favor of the experimental group, while no significant changes were seen in blood pressure between the groups.Conclusion: It is likely that 2 weeks of L-carnitine supplementation may prevent the increase of inflammation caused by acute resistance exercise.