However , carnitine supplementation at dosages of ≤ 1000 mg/day ( p = 0.035 ) or equal to 2000 mg/day ( p = 0.013 ) result ed in significant reduction in ALT level , while doses more than 2000 mg/day did not change ALT  significantly .
Carnitine exerts its reducing effect on serum ALT and AST levels only when these aminotransferases are raised or when the duration of supplementation lasts at least 3 months .
Results of the current meta- analysis showed that carnitine supplementation can decrease serum AST and ALT levels significantly , especially when supplementation lasts 3 months or more in patients with elevated serum aminotransferase levels
l-Carnitine Treatment Reduces Steatosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Treated with α-Interferon and Ribavirin
Abstract Background Hepatic steatosis is a common presentation in patients with chronic hepatitis C.  Interferon α exerts both antiviral and immunomodulating actions , and influences on lipid metabolism . The aim of our study was to test whether l-carnitine reduces steatosis in patients treated with interferon and ribavirin .  Patients and methods A total of 70 patients were r and omly assigned to receive either leucocyte IFN alpha at a dose of 3 MIU thrice a week plus 1,000 mg ribavirin per day for 12 months ( group A ) or IFN alpha and ribavirin at the same dose plus 2 g carnitine per day ( group B ) . Results Comparison of the two treatments showed significant differences between the mean values of the following parameters at the end of the treatment : ALT −68 vs −95 IU/ml ( P < 0.05 ) , total cholesterol 0.08 vs −0.91 mmol/l ( P < 0.05 ) and triglycerides + 0.25 vs −20 mmol/l ( P < 0.05 ) ; and at the follow-up : AST −35 vs −65 IU/ml ( P < 0.05 ) and ALT −55 vs −84 IU/ml ( P < 0.05 ) . All values were lower in group B ( IFN + Ribavirin + Carnitine ) than in group A ( IFN plus Ribavirin ) . When comparing those patients treated with IFN + ribavirin with those treated with IFN plus ribavirin plus carnitine , the response at the end of the treatment was 48 % vs 56 % , and the sustained response 39 % vs 46 % , respectively . Conclusions Combined treatment with l-carnitine , ribavirin and IFN alpha result ed in greater antihyperlipidaemic effects and than with ribavirin and IFN alpha alone . The results of this study suggest that l-carnitine may have a role among the reduction of steatosis strategies in patients with hepatitis C treated with IFN alpha and ribavirin
However , carnitine supplementation at dosages of ≤ 1000 mg/day ( p = 0.035 ) or equal to 2000 mg/day ( p = 0.013 ) result ed in significant reduction in ALT level , while doses more than 2000 mg/day did not change ALT  significantly .
Carnitine exerts its reducing effect on serum ALT and AST levels only when these aminotransferases are raised or when the duration of supplementation lasts at least 3 months .
Results of the current meta- analysis showed that carnitine supplementation can decrease serum AST and ALT levels significantly , especially when supplementation lasts 3 months or more in patients with elevated serum aminotransferase levels