Objective: This study is designed to investigate the levels of carnitine and acylcarnitines (ACs) in the children with diabetes type 1 compared to the healthy subjects.Methods: Forty-two type 1 diabetic children and healthy subjects were recruited in the study, respectively. In addition to FBS and Hb A1C, free carnitine and ACs in butyl-ester form in the fasting blood samples were assessed by isotope dilution mass spectrometry for all diabetics and controls using the tandem mass spectrometry system.Results: Diabetic patients had a higher level of C, C4, C6, C14, C18:2, and C18:2OH. Females had elevated C14:2 compared to the males. The C18:2 and C18:2OH levels were elevated as the Hb A1C level increased. The C18:2, C14OH were mostly increased in the prediabetic and diabetic patients, respectively.Conclusion: Increased ACs level indicates the increased acyl-CoA intermediates for the fatty acids and amino acids oxidation.
Keywords: Acyl carnitine; children; free carnitine; metabolism; type 1 diabetes.