Does alpha-lipoic acid affect lipid profile? A meta-analysis and systematic review on randomized controlled trials.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) may change lipid profile, but their results are contradictory. The aim of this study is to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the effects of ALA on lipid profile. Electronic databases including ISI web of science, Ovid, PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar were searched up to February 2018. RCTs which assessed ALA effects on lipid profile were selected. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in serum lipids concentrations were defined as intervention effects. Random effects model was used to estimate the pooled effect. Heterogeneity was measured by using I