Effects of levocarnitine combined with erythropoietin on anemia and nutritional status of patients with maintenance hemodialysis

Objective To investigate the effects of levocarnitine combined with erythropoietin on anemia and nutritional status of patients with maintenance hemodialysis.Methods 62 uremic patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were divided into 2 groups:treatment group and control group,31cases in each group.Every time at the end of the hemodialysis treatment,the patients of the two groups were given erythropoietin,150 U/kg weekly.At the same time,the treatment group received intravenous injection of levocarnitine,2.0 g,twice a week,the treatment lasted 12 weeks.Results The levels of plasma total protein,albumin,hemoglobin and blood hematocrit of treatment group were significantly higher than those of control group(P0.05).Conclusion Levocarnitine can improve the anemia and nutritional status of patients with maintenance hemodialysis.