L-Carnitine Protective Effect in Nephrotoxicity

What Was Tested

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

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the possible reno-protective effect of L-carnitine against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

The main question it aims to answer is: Does L-carnitine have the ability to protect the kidney against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity?

It had two arms (groups): L-carnitine group (active comparator) and Placebo group (placebo comparator).

The registry classes the interventions as drug.

More on the Plan

Cisplatin nephrotoxicity mainly explained by accumulation in the renal tubules mostly in the proximal and distal tubules where it inhibits and alters the expression pattern of several membrane transporters and water channels and inhibits mitochondrial function and ATP production, thus generating oxidative stress.

L-carnitine owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties has been used as a candidate for nephroprotection against drug induced nephrotoxicity (DIN).

Who Took Part

46 planned participants were the target.

It was open to people of any sex aged from 18 years up to 75 years.

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

Examples of who could join: Male or female patients. Newly diagnosed patients with cancer and with an indication for cisplatin - based chemotherapy. Age between 18 and 75 years. No serious cardiopulmonary comorbidity which could impair involvement in the study. Patients who will scheduled to receive at least 3 cycles of cisplatin.

The full record lists 7 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria; among the exclusions: pregnancy or lactation; metastasis to the central nervous system; psychiatric disorders.

How the Study Was Run

It was run as a randomized, parallel-group and double-blind study.

Random assignment meant chance, not the researchers, decided who got L-Carnitine and who got the comparison, which limits bias.

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 care provider.

It started in 2025-08-10 with completion listed for 2026-08-01.

It ran at 1 site in Egypt.

Its stated primary purpose is prevention.

What Was Measured

The main thing measured (primary outcome): change in serum creatinine and creatinine clearance (time frame: Baseline (before chemotherapy cycles)).

What This Means in Plain Language

Put simply, this is a phase 2, randomized trial of L-Carnitine in 46 people.

It is still recruiting; no results are posted to the registry yet, so nothing here describes outcomes.

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