L-Carnitine, and ὡ3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid from Healthy to Diseased Skeletal Muscle

Myopathies are chronic degenerative diseases that induce the deterioration of the structure and function of skeletal muscle characterized by progressive strength loss, muscle fatigue, pain, or tenderness, cramps, stiffness, and tightness. So far a defnitive therapy has not yet been developed and the main aim of myopathy treatment is to slow the progression of the disease.

 Current nonpharmacological therapies include rehabilitation, ventilator assistance, and nutritional supplements, all of which aim to delay the onset of the disease and relieve its symptoms. Besides an adequate diet, nutritional supplements could play an important role in the treatment of myopathic patients. Here we review the most recent in vitro and in vivo studies investigating the role supplementation with creatine, L-carnitine, and ὡ3 PUFAs plays in myopathy treatment. Our results suggest that these dietary supplements could have benefcial effects; nevertheless continued studies are required before they could be recommended as a routine treatment in muscle diseases.