The relationship between cognitive impairment and fatty acids and carnitine in hemodialysis patients

• Published in: Nefrología 2024-01, Vol.44 (1), p.40-49
• Main Authors: Eser, Baris, Dogan, Ibrahim, Kayadibi, Huseyin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Arachidonic Acid; Carnitine; Cognitive Dysfunction - etiology; Cognitive impairment; Cross-Sectional Studies; Deterioro cognitivo; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fatty Acids, Omega-6; Hemodialysis; Hemodiálisis; Humans; L-carnitina; l-Carnitine; Male; Middle Aged; Renal Dialysis - adverse effects; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Ácidos grasos
• ISSN: 0211-6995; 2013-2514
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nefro.2022.02.006

The prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) is high in hemodialysis patients. In this study, the relationship between CI and serum carnitine, plasma omega-3, omega-6 and omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid ratio was evaluated in hemodialysis patients. Sixty two patients [male: 40 (64.5%), mean age 51±13 years] were included in this cross-sectional study. Serum total and free-carnitine levels were determined by ELISA. Plasma omega-3 [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] and omega-6 [arachidonic acid (AA), dihomo gamma linoleic acid (DGLA)] levels were measured using LC-ESI-MS/MS. According to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, ≤24 points were considered as CI. MoCA score ≤24 and >24 were determined as Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Group 1 had significantly higher AA+DGLA/EPA+DHA ratios and lower free-carnitine, DHA and EPA+DHA levels compared to Group 2 (P=0.008, P=0.040, P=0.032, P=0.032, respectively). Group 1 had a statistically lower education level (P