Key result
Female sex linked to lower plasma carnitine levels than males, disappearing after age 45.
Why the study?
Reference values for plasma carnitine concentrations in ambulatory adults were lacking, with unclear influences of sex, age, and BMI.
Cross-Sectional (n=340)
No
Absolute Event Rate: 38.1% vs 43.6%
Sex-specific carnitine reference ranges may be warranted before age 45; leaves open effects on diagnostic thresholds or outcomes.
Carnitine was determined radioenzymatically in the plasma of 415 hospital employees involved in a screening programme for prevention of major cardiovascular risks. A reference population (N = 340) was extracted after excluding subjects with hypertension, diabetes mellitus or treatment for hypercholesterolaemia. This population showed a Gaussian distribution for total and free carnitine concentrations both in females and males but not for acyl carnitine or the acyl/free ratio. Females had lower total and free carnitine concentrations but a higher ratio of acyl/free carnitine than males. These differences were not detectable in older subjects (35 years for the acyl/free ratio, 45 years for total and free carnitine concentrations). Females with a body mass index > 28 had a lower acyl/free ratio than their respective controls. The differences in carnitine concentrations indicate that sex and age should be matched in patients or experimental groups and controls in studies involving carnitine plasma concentrations.
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Boulat et al. (1993) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy reference population (n=340). Female sex vs. Male sex was evaluated on Mean total plasma carnitine concentration (µmol/L). Total and free plasma carnitine concentrations were significantly lower in females compared to males, though these sex differences were no longer detectable in subjects older than 45 years.
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