Effect of L-carnitine on Disease Activity in Patients With Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis

What Was Tested

In this phase 2 trial, researchers set out to test L-Carnitine.

It had two arms (groups): Group A (Intervention group) (experimental) and Group B (Placebo group) (placebo comparator).

The registry classes the interventions as drug.

More on the Plan

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative joint disease marked by cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation, and subchondral bone remodeling, resulting in persistent pain and disability.

The most prevalent arthritis is OA, and responsible for most adult chronic pain and permanent disability.

The most common kind of OA is knee osteoarthritis.

L-carnitine, a naturally occurring chemical, is required for carrying long-chain fatty acids to the mitochondria, where they are oxidized to generate energy.

Who Took Part

The registry lists 66 actual participants took part.

It was open to people of any sex aged from 40 years with no upper age limit.

Healthy volunteers were not accepted; participants needed the condition being studied.

Examples of who could join: Radiographic evidence of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence Grade: II-III). Above 40 years. Both male and female.

The full record lists 4 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria; among the exclusions: chronic kidney disease or chronic liver disease; diagnosed with systemic inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, gout; patients on immunosuppressant treatment.

How the Study Was Run

The set-up was randomized, parallel-group and double-blind.

Because people in this L-Carnitine study were split into groups at random, differences between the groups are less likely to reflect who happened to join each one.

Groups ran in parallel: each of the participants stayed in one arm throughout.

Blinding on both sides kept the participants and researchers unaware of who received L-Carnitine.

Those kept unaware of assignments: participant and investigator.

It started in 2025-06-28 with completion listed for 2025-11-19.

It ran at 1 site in Bangladesh.

Its stated primary purpose is treatment.

What Was Measured

The main thing measured (primary outcome): Pain, stiffness and physical function (time frame: 8 weeks).

It also tracked 2 secondary outcomes, for example Oxidative stress markers (Malondialdehyde and Glutathione) and Inflammatory marker (hs-CRP).

What This Means in Plain Language

Put simply, this is a phase 2, randomized trial of L-Carnitine in 66 people.

The trial is marked completed; no results are posted to the registry yet, so nothing here describes outcomes.

More context: the L-Carnitine compound page, all human trials.