BACKGROUND/AIMS: Functional and anatomical abnormalities of mitochondria play an important role in developing steatohepatitis. Carnitine is essential for enhanced mitochondrial beta oxidation through the transfer of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria. We examined the impact of carnitine complex on liver function and peripheral blood mitochondria copy number in NAFLD patients. METHODS: Forty-five NAFLD patients were enrolled. Patients were categorized into the carnitine complex-administered group and control group. Before and 3 months after drug administration, a liver function test and peripheral blood mitochondrial DNA and 8-oxo-dG quantitive analysis were conducted. RESULTS: In carnitine treatment group, ALT, AST, and total bilirubin were reduced after medication. There was no difference in AST, ALT, and total bilirubin between before and after treatment in control group. In carnitine group, peripheral mitochondrial DNA copy number was significantly increased from 158.8+/-69.5 copy to 241.6+/-180.6 copy (p=0.025). While in control group the mitochondrial copy number was slightly reduced from 205.5+/-142.3 to 150.0+/-109.7. 8-oxo-dG level was also tended to decrease in carnitine group (p=0.23) and tended to increase in control group (p=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: In NAFLD, the carnitine improved liver profile and peripheral blood mitochondrial DNA copy number. This results suggest that carnitine activate the mitochondria, thereby contributing to the improvement of NAFLD.
Adult ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood ; Bilirubin/blood ; Carnitine/*therapeutic use ; DNA Copy Number Variations/*drug effects ; DNA, Mitochondrial/*blood ; Deoxyguanosine/analogs &derivatives/analysis ; Fatty Liver/diagnosis/*drug therapy/genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged

Gene mutation of Candida albicans is one of the main causes for azole drug resistance. Different types of variation play different roles in promoting the process of drug resistance. ERG series of gene mutations primarily affect the ergosterol synthesis pathway. When the regulatory factors TAC1 for CDR1 gene and Mrr1 for MDR1 gene generate mutations, the expression level of drug efflux pump protein in Candida albicans may be changed. In addition, gene copy number variation is also gaining attention. Therefore, the research of mutation resistance-associated genes has a positive meaning to explore the mechanism of drug resistance in Candida albicans.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Azoles ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; genetics ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; genetics