Randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial examining the effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplement on the spermatogram and seminal oxidative stress in infertile men. Effect of alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation, and malnutrition in hemodialysis patients. Effects of alpha lipoic acid supplementation on serum levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in patient with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Multiple Cytokines and Biomarkers and Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation Within 1 Year of Catheter Ablation. The effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in men with chronic spinal cord injury: a clinical trial Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and serum lipid profile levels in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on asymmetric dimethylarginine and disability in multiple sclerosis patients: A randomized clinical trial Complementary therapy in diabetic patients with chronic complications: a pilot study. The comparison of antioxidant and hematological properties of N-acetylcysteine and alpha-lipoic acid in physically active males. Exercise and mononuclear cell DNA damage: the effects of antioxidant supplementation. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): an open trial of comparative efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) with other therapies. Background diet influences the anti-inflammatory effect of alpha-linolenic acid in dyslipidaemic subjects. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): controlled open trial of the efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) on symptomatology. Dietary supplementation with flaxseed oil lowers blood pressure in dyslipidaemic patients Alpha-linolenic acid supplementation and resistance training in older adults. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid decreases C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and interleukin-6 in dyslipidaemic patients. Role of alpha-lipoic acid in the management of anemia in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis Adjunctive &agr;-lipoic acid reduces weight gain compared with placebo at 12 weeks in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study Use of Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Diabetic Patients Antioxidants for Alzheimer disease: a randomized clinical trial with cerebrospinal fluid biomarker measures. Comparison of the effect of alpha-lipoic acid and alpha-tocopherol supplementation on measures of oxidative stress. Effect of α-lipoic acid and exercise training on cardiovascular disease risk in obesity with impaired glucose tolerance Effects of α-lipoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in overweight and obese women during weight loss.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) on the spermatogram and seminal oxidative stress biomarkers . DESIGN R and omized , triple-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial . SETTING Infertility clinic . PATIENT(S ) Infertile men . INTERVENTION(S ) ALA ( 600 mg ) or placebo for 12 weeks . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S ) Semen analysis , anthropometric , dietary , and physical activity assessment s , total antioxidant capacity , and malondialdehyde . RESULT ( S ) At the end of study , the total sperm count , sperm concentration , and motility in the intervention group were significantly higher than in the control group . In the ALA group , the total sperm count , sperm concentration , and motility levels were also significantly increased at the end of study compared with baseline values . However , there were no significant differences in ejaculate volume , normal morphology percentage , and live sperm between groups . ALA supplementation also result ed in a significant improvement in seminal levels of total antioxidant capacity ( TAC ) and malondialdehyde compared with the placebo . CONCLUSION ( S ) According to the results , medical therapy of asthenoteratospermia with ALA supplement could improve quality of semen parameters . However , further investigation is suggested in this regard . CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER I RCT 2013111010181N3 INTRODUCTION Increased oxidative stress , inflammation , and malnutrition are present in hemodialysis patients and these factors exacerbate cardiovascular comorbidities . Vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) may have a protective role against cardiovascular disease risk factors via anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ALA and vitamin E administration ( alone or combined ) on hemodialysis-induced stress oxidation , inflammation , and malnutrition . MATERIAL S AND METHODS In a r and omized placebo-controlled trial , we examined the effects of 2-month supplementation by vitamin E and ALA ( alone or combined ) on biomarkers of lipid peroxidation ( malondialdehyde ) , inflammation ( high-sensitivity C-Reactive protein and interleukin-6 ) , and malnutrition ( Subjective Global Assessment and body mass index ) in 85 hemodialysis patients receiving ALA ( 600 mg ) , vitamin E ( 400 IU ) , ALA and vitamin E , and placebo .  RESULTS After supplementation , no significant changes were observed in malondialdehyde level ; however , there was a decrease in the ALA and vitamin E group during the period of the study . Also , a nonsignificant decrease was seen in the high-sensitivity C-Reactive protein concentration of the interventional groups . Supplementation of vitamin E with and without ALA significantly reduced interleukin-6 concentration . A significant improvement was observed in malnutrition status of all groups . CONCLUSIONS Vitamin E and ALA supplementation , especially their combination , might improve inflammation and malnutrition status , which suggest it as a potential preventive strategy against CVD among end-stage renal disease patients Background Chronic renal failure is a progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function , and the hemodialysis ( HD ) is one of the most common modalities in this regard . Oxidative stresses [ like interleukin-8 ( IL-8 ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-α ) ] and inflammation are the main risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases and other complications in many organs in hemodialysis patients ; meanwhile , antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid ( ALA ) may reduce the oxidative stress markers and the levels of inflammatory cytokines , so can improve of the patient ’s quality of life . Methods In this r and omized clinical trial study , 60 HD patients were r and omly categorized in two case and control groups . Case group received a daily capsule of 600 mg of ALA supplementation for 8 weeks , and the control group received placebo capsules daily . The serum level of IL-8 and TNF-α was measured in both groups before and after the intervention . Results There were no significant differences in age , gender , duration of dialysis , and causative factor for dialysis between both groups ( P > 0.05 ) . The mean of IL-8 and TNF-α after the intervention in case group was 26.20 ± 15.34 and 21.25 ± 9.61 , respectively ; the difference between both groups was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05 ) . Conclusion Based on the better feeling and other beneficial effects of ALA were found in our study ; we can conclude that it is a beneficial and recommended supplement , especially , for diabetic and dialysis patients Catheter ablation ( CA ) is a procedure commonly used to restore sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation ( AF ) . However , AF recurrence after CA remains a relevant clinical issue . We tested the effects of an oral antioxidant treatment ( alpha lipoic acid [ ALA ] ) on AF recurrence post-CA . Patients with paroxysmal AF have been enrolled in a r and omized , prospect i ve , double-blind , controlled placebo trial . After CA , patients have been r and omly assigned to receive ALA oral supplementation ( ALA group ) or placebo ( control group ) and evaluated at baseline and after a 12-month follow-up : 73 patients completed the 12-month follow-up  ( ALA : 33 and control : 40 ) . No significant difference has been detected between the 2 groups at baseline . Strikingly , 1 year after CA , ALA therapy significantly reduced serum markers of inflammation . However , there was no significant difference in AF recurrence events at follow-up comparing ALA with placebo group . Multivariate analysis revealed that the only independent prognostic risk factor for AF recurrence after CA is age . In conclusion , ALA therapy reduces serum levels of common markers of inflammation in ablated patients . Nevertheless , ALA does not prevent AF recurrence after an ablative treatment Study design : A r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial . Objective : To assess the effect of alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) supplementation on IL-6 , hs-CRP , FBS , anthropometric indices , food intake and blood pressure in male patients with chronic spinal cord injury ( SCI ) . Setting : Imam Khomeini Hospital , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran . Methods : Fifty-eight men with chronic SCI participated in the study . Participants were divided in two groups : one group received 600 mg of supplemental ALA ( n=28 ) and the other group received placebo ( n=30 ) for 12 weeks . At the beginning and end of the study , biochemical parameters , anthropometric indices , blood pressure and dietary intakes were measured . Dietary intake was measured using N4 software , and statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS16 . Results : No significant reduction was found in IL-6 ( P=0.97 ) and hs-CRP levels ( P=0.23 ) . There was significant reduction in fasting blood sugar ( P=0.001 ) , body weight ( P=0.001 ) , BMI ( P=0.001 ) , waist circumference ( P=0.001 ) and blood pressure ( P=0.001 ) . Dietary intake was significantly reduced , including fat ( P=0.001 ) , carbohydrate ( P=0.001 ) , protein ( P=0.002 ) and energy intakes ( P=0.001 ) . Conclusion : Lipoic acid supplementation had no significant effect on the measured inflammatory markers but it reduces fasting blood sugar , anthropometric parameters , food intake and blood pressure in men with chronic SCI OBJECTIVE We examined the effects of alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) supplementation on inflammation , oxidative stress , and serum lipid profile levels in hemodialysis ( HD ) patients . DESIGN This was a double-blinded , r and omized , placebo-controlled clinical trial . SETTING The present study involved HD centers in Tabriz , Iran . PATIENTS Participants included 63 patients with end-stage renal disease ( 43 men and 20 women ; age range : 22 - 79 years ) undergoing maintenance HD . INTERVENTION HD patients were r and omly assigned into the supplemented group ( n = 31 ) , receiving a daily dose of ALA ( 600 mg ) , or a control group ( n = 32 ) , receiving placebo for 8 weeks . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES High sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hsCRP ) , malondialdehyde , total antioxidant status , total cholesterol , triglyceride , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of supplementation . RESULTS At the end of intervention , 11 patients were excluded from the study .  HsCRP levels decreased by 18.7 % in the supplemented group after 8 weeks of supplementation , and the reduction was significant in comparison with the placebo group ( P < .05 ) ; this finding was also significant after adjusting for baseline values of hsCRP . The mean malondialdehyde and total antioxidant status levels did not change significantly in the 2 groups during the study . The mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations increased significantly in the supplemented group at the end of the study ( P < .05 ) ; however , this improvement was not statistically significant as compared with the placebo group . No significant alterations were observed in the other lipid profile parameters within each group during the study . CONCLUSION ALA supplementation significantly reduced hsCRP levels , which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in HD patients Background Multiple Sclerosis ( MS ) is an inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system . Oxidative stress plays a major role in the onset and progression of MS . Asymmetric dimethylarginine ( ADMA ) formation is dependent on oxidative stress status . Objective We examined whether alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) as a potent antioxidant could improve the Exp and ed Disability Status Scale ( EDSS ) and decrease plasma level of ADMA in multiple sclerosis patients . Methods In a r and omized , double-blinded clinical trial conducted at Sina Hospital in Tehran , Iran , from September 2009 to July 2011 , 24 patients with relapsing-remitting MS were divided into a treatment group receiving ALA ( 1200mg/day ) for 12 weeks and a control group receiving placebo . Then patients ’ EDSS and Plasma levels of ADMA were measured at baseline and 12 weeks later . Statistical analysis was done by SPSS software version 16 using the K-S test , Chi square , Mann – Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon test . Results The plasma levels of ADMA in the intervention group were decreased significantly ( p=0.04 ) . Also , no patient had increased EDSS score in the supplement group , where 2 out of 12 patients in the placebo group experienced so . Comparing the serum level of ADMA between the two groups failed to show any significant change in the supplement group compared with the control group . Conclusion Considering that ADMA is produced by oxidative stress in MS patients and leads to increase of inflammation , ALA may have the potential of beneficial effects in them , in part , by decreasing the plasma level of ADMA and stopping progression . Trial registration The trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( http://www.i rct .ir ) with the I rct ID : No. I RCT 138812222602N2 . Funding The authors received no financial support for the research , authors hip , and /or publication of this article BACKGROUND Oxidative stress and dysregulation of antioxidant function play a pivotal role in the diabetic complications . METHODS Fifty-nine patients with diabetes were r and omly assigned into three groups . 1 ) PL group ( n = 19 ) : Polarized light ( PL ) was applied to neuropathic ulcers of diabetic foot twice daily for ten minutes in pulse regimen during three months . 2 ) QALA group ( n = 20 ) : Antioxidants ( 60 mg hydrosoluble CoQ10 , 100 mg alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) and 200 mg vitamin E ) were used in two daily doses for three months . 3 ) QALAPL group ( n = 20 ) : Patients used antioxidants along with PL applications . To test for differences in means , paired Student 's t-test ( before and after three months ) was used . RESULTS Three months application of PL significantly increased plasma concentrations of coenzyme Q10 , alpha-tocopherol , tau-tocopherol and beta-carotene , and decreased lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH ) activity . Supplementation with antioxidants decreased plasma lipid peroxides , increased concentration of CoQ10 and improved echocardiographic parameters . Simultaneous application of PL and antioxidants significantly stimulated plasma CoQ10 and alpha-tocopherol concentrations , decreased LDH activity and contributed to improvement in heart left ventricular function in diabetics . CONCLUSION Thus the data show that supportive therapy with PL along with the antioxidants hydrosoluble CoQ10 , alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E is an effective way of controlling the complications of type 2 diabetes ( Tab . 7 , Fig. 2 , Ref . 44 ) The aim of this study was to follow up whether the modification of pro-antioxidant status by oral thiol administration such as N-acetylcysteine and alpha-lipoic acid affects the  hematological response . Twenty-eight healthy men participated in two independent experiments . Subjects were r and omly assigned to one of four groups : controls ( C(NAC ) and C(ALA ) ) , N-acetylcysteine ( NAC ) and alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) . 1200 mg of N-acetylcysteine , 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid or placebo were administered for 8 days in two doses . NAC or ALA administration significantly elevated plasma total antioxidant status ( TAS ) and reduced protein carbonylation ( PC ) and lipid peroxidation ( TBARS ) by more than 30 % . The reduced glutathione ( GSH ) and hematological parameters changed only in response to NAC administration . NAC significantly elevated the level of GSH ( + 33 % ) , EPO ( + 26 % ) , Hb ( + 9 % ) and Hct ( + 9 % ) compared with C(NAC ) . The mean corpuscular volume ( MCV ) and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin ( MCH ) also increased by more than 12 % after NAC . The numerous negative or positive correlations between the measures of TAS , PC , TBARS and hematological parameters were found , which suggest the NAC-induced interaction between pro-antioxidant and hematological values . Our study has shown that both N-acetylcysteine and alpha-lipoic acid intake reveal an antioxidant action , but only N-acetylcysteine improves the haematological response The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of antioxidant supplementation on DNA damage following exercise . Fourteen subjects were r and omly assigned to one of two groups and required to ingest either antioxidants ( 400 mg alpha-lipoic acid , 200 mg co-enzyme Q10 , 12 mg manganese , 600 mg vitamin C , 800 mg N-acetyl cysteine , 400 microg selenium , and 400 IU alpha-tocopherol per day ) or placebos for 7 d. Exercise increased DNA damage , PS , FRAP , and LDH ( P < 0.05 ) , but not selectively between groups . LDH and PS concentration decreased 1 h post-exercise ( P < 0.05 ) , while LH concentration decreased 1 h post-exercise in the antioxidant group only ( P < 0.05 ) . The antioxidant group had a higher concentration of LH ( P < 0.05 ) , perhaps due to a selective difference between groups post-exercise ( P < 0.05 ) . The main findings of this investigation demonstrate that exhaustive aerobic exercise induces DNA damage , while antioxidant supplementation does not protect against damage BACKGROUND Alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) is a potent antioxidant mitochondrial coenzyme , trometamol salt of thioctic acid , shown in clinical studies to be neuroprotective and in a preliminary study to have an effect on the symptomatology of  Burning Mouth Syndrome ( BMS ) .  METHODS We were interested in extending our studies as to whether alpha-lipoic acid might improve the symptomatology in BMS and therefore carried out a larger open controlled clinical study on the effects of alpha-lipoic acid on BMS symptomatology . RESULTS We have examined the effects on 4 groups of 20 patients with BMS of ALA  , compared with bethanecol , Biotene and placebo , and found ALA of remarkable benefit with minimal adverse effects . CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that double-blind r and omized controlled multicenter studies of ALA are indicated Long-chain n-3 PUFA from fish oils are known to have anti-inflammatory effects . We evaluated the effect of alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) , precursor of n-3 fatty acids , on serum inflammatory markers and soluble cellular adhesion molecules ( sCAM ) of dyslipidaemic males , relative to their background diet . Participants were assigned to two groups , based upon food intake patterns : ( a ) twenty-one dyslipidaemic subjects who habitually ate a Mediterranean-Cretan-type diet ; ( b ) nineteen dyslipidaemic subjects who normally ate a Westernised Greek diet .  All were supplemented with 8.1 g ALA/d for 12 weeks . We determined serum amyloid A ( SAA ) , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , macrophage colony-stimulating factor ( MCSF ) , IL-6 , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 ) , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and soluble E-selectin concentrations at the beginning and the end of the ALA supplementation period . Serum baseline concentrations of inflammatory markers and sCAM were similar across the diet groups . Type of diet had a significant impact on the response of inflammatory markers to ALA supplementation . The Westernised Greek diet group showed a reduction in SAA ( P<0.001 ) , CRP ( P=0.002 ) , MCSF ( P=0.005 ) and IL-6 ( P=0.04 ) concentrations . The Mediterranean-Cretan-type background diet group showed a significant reduction only in MCSF concentrations ( P=0.003 ) . The sVCAM-1 concentrations were significantly reduced in both the Westernised Greek diet group ( P=0.001 ) and the Mediterranean-Cretan-type diet group ( P<0.001 ) . The present study demonstrated that ALA supplementation lowered the serum concentrations of inflammatory markers more profoundly when the background diet was rich in saturated fatty acids and poor in MUFA BACKGROUND Alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) , is a potent antioxidant mitochondrial coenzyme , the trometamol salt of thioctic acid that has been shown in clinical studies to be neuroprotective . This study examined the effect of ALA on the symptomatology of Burning mouth syndrome ( BMS ) .  SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty-two patients with BMS and no clinical or laboratory evidence of organic oral disease were divided into two groups ( Test and Control ) each of 21 subjects , matched for age and sex . The Test group were given ALA ( thioctic acid ; Tiobec ) for 30 days , as 600 mg per day orally for 20 days followed by 200 mg per day for 10 days . The Control group were given cellulose starch 100 mg per day as placebo for 30 days . All BMS patients were review ed at 10-day intervals and scored for changes in symptomatology . RESULTS Significant improvements were shown in the symptomatology of BMS in up to two-thirds of patients with BMS receiving alpha-lipoic acid , in about 15 % of those using placebo and also in up to two-thirds of those who , having tried placebo , were switched to ALA Objective : Alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) is the natural precursor of the cardioprotective long-chain n−3 fatty acids . Available data indicate a possible beneficial effect of ALA on cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) , but the response of various CVD risk factors to increased ALA intake is not well characterized . The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of increased ALA intake on blood pressure in man . Design , setting , subjects and interventions : We used a prospect i ve , two-group , parallel-arm design to examine the effect of a 12-week dietary supplementation with flaxseed oil , rich in ALA ( 8 g/day ) , on blood pressure in middle-aged dyslipidaemic men ( n=59 ) . The diet of the control group was supplemented with safflower oil , containing the equivalent n−6 fatty acid ( 11 g/day linoleic acid ( LA ) ; n=28 ) . Arterial blood pressure was measured at the beginning and at the end of the dietary intervention period . Results : Supplementation with ALA result ed in significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels compared with LA ( P=0.016 and P=0.011 , respectively , from analysis of variance ( ANOVA ) for repeated measures ) . Conclusions : We observed a hypotensive effect of ALA , which may constitute another mechanism accounting in part for the apparent cardioprotective effect of this n−3 fatty acid . Sponsorship : Greek Ministry of Development , General Secretariat for Research and Technology Increased inflammation with aging has been linked to sarcopenia . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing older adults with alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) during a resistance training program , based on the hypothesis that ALA decreases the plasma concentration of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 , which in turn would improve muscle size and strength . Fifty-one older adults ( 65.4 + /- 0.8 years ) were r and omized to receive ALA in flax oil ( ~14 g.day-1 ) or placebo for 12 weeks while completing a resistance training program ( 3 days a week ) . Subjects were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks for muscle thickness of knee and elbow flexors and extensors ( B-mode ultrasound ) , muscle strength ( 1 repetition maximum ) , body composition ( dual energy X-ray absorptiometry ) , and concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-6 . Males supplementing with ALA  decreased IL-6 concentration over the 12 weeks ( 62 + /- 36 % decrease ; p = 0.003 ) , with no other changes in inflammatory cytokines . Chest and leg press strength , lean tissue mass , muscle thickness , hip bone mineral content and density , and total bone mineral content significantly increased , and percent fat and total body mass decreased with training ( p < 0.05 ) , with the only benefit of ALA being a significantly greater increase in knee flexor muscle thickness in males ( p < 0.05 ) . Total-body bone mineral density improved in the placebo group , with no change in the ALA group ( p = 0.05 ) . ALA supplementation lowers the IL-6 concentration in older men but not women , but had minimal effect on muscle mass and strength during resistance training BACKGROUND Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease . We examined whether dietary supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA , 18:3n-3 ) affects the levels of inflammatory markers in dyslipidaemic patients . METHODS We recruited 76 male dyslipidaemic patients ( mean age=51+/-8 years ) following a typical Greek diet . They were r and omly assigned either to 15 ml of linseed oil ( rich in ALA ) per day ( n=50 ) or to 15 ml of safflower oil ( rich in linoleic acid ( LA , 18:2n-6 ) ) per day ( n=26 ) . The ratio of n-6:n-3 in linseed oil supplemented group was 1.3:1 and in safflower oil supplemented group 13.2:1 . Dietary intervention lasted for 3 months . Blood lipids and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , serum amyloid A ( SAA ) , and interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) levels were determined prior and after intervention . CRP and SAA were measured by nephelometry and IL-6 by immunoassay . RESULTS Dietary supplementation with ALA decreased significantly CRP , SAA and IL-6 levels . The median decrease of CRP was 38 % ( 1.24 vs. 0.93 mg/l , P=0.0008 ) , of SAA 23.1 % ( 3.24 vs. 2.39 mg/l , P=0.0001 ) and of IL-6 10.5 % ( 2.18 vs. 1.7 pg/ml , P=0.01 ) . The decrease of inflammatory markers was independent of lipid changes . Dietary supplementation with LA did not affect significantly CRP , SAA and IL-6 concentrations but decreased cholesterol levels . CONCLUSIONS Dietary supplementation with ALA for 3 months decreases significantly CRP , SAA and IL-6 levels  in dyslipidaemic patients . This anti-inflammatory effect may provide a possible additional mechanism for the beneficial effect of plant n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease Introduction Anemia associated with chronic kidney disease is a serious complication necessitating expenditure of huge medical efforts and re sources . This study investigates the role of alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) in end stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis . By the virtue of its antioxidative effects , ALA is expected to act as an erythropoietin ( EPO ) adjuvant , and also has extended beneficial effects on endothelial dysfunction . Methods Forty-four patients undergoing hemodialysis and receiving EPO  were r and omized into two groups : the first group received ALA 600 mg once daily for 3 months ; while the other group represented the control group . Parameters measured at baseline and at end of study were hemoglobin , EPO doses , EPO resistance index ( ERI ) , iron store indices , malondialdehyde , oxidized low-density lipoprotein ( ox-LDL ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , tumor necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α ) , and asymmetric dimethylarginine ( ADMA ) , as well as routine laboratory follow-up . Results EPO doses and ERI were significantly decreased in the treatment group , while they did not change in the control group . Hemoglobin , iron store indices , malondialdehyde , oxidized ox-LDL , IL-6 , TNF-α , and ADMA were similar in both treatment and control groups at baseline , and did not change by the end of study period . Likewise , routine laboratory measures were not affected by the treatment . Conclusion ALA could be used in hemodialysis patients to reduce requirements for EPO . However , larger and longer term studies are required to clarify the exact role of ALA in hemodialysis as well as in pre-hemodialysis patients & agr;-Lipoic acid ( ALA ) has been reported to be effective in reducing body weight in rodents and obese patients . Our previous open trial showed that ALA may play a role in reducing weight gain in patients with schizophrenia on atypical antipsychotics . The present study evaluated the efficacy of ALA in reducing weight and BMI in patients with schizophrenia who had experienced significant weight gain since taking atypical antipsychotics . In a 12-week , double-blind r and omized placebo-controlled study , 22 overweight and clinical ly stable patients with schizophrenia were r and omly assigned to receive ALA or placebo . ALA was administered at 600–1800 mg , as tolerated . Weight , BMI , abdomen fat area measured by computed tomography , and metabolic values were determined . Adverse effects were also assessed to examine safety . Overall , 15 patients completed 12 weeks of treatment . There was significant weight loss and decreased visceral fat levels in the ALA group compared with the placebo group . There were no instances of psychopathologic aggravation or severe ALA-associated adverse effects . ALA was effective in reducing weight and abdominal obesity in patients with schizophrenia who had experienced significant weight gain since beginning an atypical antipsychotic regimen . Moreover , ALA was well tolerated throughout this study . ALA might play an important role as an adjunctive treatment in decreasing obesity in patients who take atypical antipsychotics In this prospect i ve study , we aim ed to determine the protective antioxidant role of alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) on development of contrast-induced nephropathy ( CIN ) in diabetic patients undergoing coronary angiography . Seventy-eight diabetic patients undergoing coronary angiography were included . Thirty-nine patients were r and omized to control group and 39 patients to ALA group . Both groups were hydrated on the day of angiography , and the ALA group had also received three doses of “ Thioctacid 600 mg HR , MEDA Manufacturing GmbH ” in pill form . Serum creatinine clearance , cystatin C , and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin ( NGAL ) were studied before and after angiography . We defined CIN as either ≥25 % or ≥0.5 mg/dL increase in serum creatinine at 48th hour after angiography . Baseline clinical characteristics were similar in both groups . Mehran risk score and creatinine clearance were comparable in control and therapy groups ( 5.59 ± 1.96 vs. 5.49 ± 1.73 , p = 0.54 and 89 ± 21 vs. 96 ± 24 , p = 0.13 , respectively ) . The volumes of contrast media ( median values of 80 mL vs. 75 mL ) and hydration with saline ( 2862 ± 447 mL vs. 2637 ± 592 mL ) were also similar ( p > 0.05 ) . The incidence of CIN was the same ( 8 % ) in both the groups . Alterations in serum creatinine , cystatin C , and urinary NGAL levels before and after the procedure were comparable between the ALA and control groups ( group p-values were > 0.05 in two-way repeated measures analysis of variance ) . We presented for the first time that ALA therapy added to hydration does not decrease the risk of CIN development in diabetic patients undergoing coronary angiography OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether antioxidant supplements presumed to target specific cellular compartments affected  cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF ) biomarkers . DESIGN Double-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial . SETTING Academic medical centers . PARTICIPANTS Subjects with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease . INTERVENTION R and om assignment to treatment for 16 weeks with 800 IU/d of vitamin E ( α-tocopherol ) plus 500 mg/d of vitamin C plus 900 mg/d of α-lipoic acid ( E/C/ALA ) ; 400 mg of coenzyme Q 3 times/d ; or placebo . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Changes from baseline to 16 weeks in CSF biomarkers related to Alzheimer disease and oxidative stress , cognition ( Mini-Mental State Examination ) , and function ( Alzheimer 's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living Scale ) . RESULTS Seventy-eight subjects were r and omized ; 66 provided serial CSF specimens adequate for biochemical analyses . Study drugs were well tolerated , but accelerated decline in Mini-Mental State Examination scores occurred in the E/C/ALA group , a potential safety concern . Changes in CSF Aβ42 , tau , and P-tau(181 ) levels did not differ between the 3 groups . Cerebrospinal fluid F2-isoprostane levels , an oxidative stress biomarker , decreased on average by 19 % from baseline to week 16 in the E/C/ALA group but were unchanged in the other groups . CONCLUSIONS Antioxidants did not influence CSF biomarkers related to amyloid or tau pathology . Lowering of CSF F2-isoprostane levels in the E/C/ALA group suggests reduction of oxidative stress in the brain . However , this treatment raised the caution of faster cognitive decline , which would need careful assessment if longer-term clinical trials are conducted . TRIAL REGISTRATION clinical trials.gov Identifier : NCT00117403 In vitro studies have shown that alpha-lipoic acid ( LA ) is an antioxidant . There is a paucity of studies on LA supplementation in humans . Therefore , the aim of this study was to assess the effect of oral supplementation with LA alone and in combination with alpha-tocopherol ( AT ) on measures of oxidative stress . A total of 31 healthy adults were supplemented for 2 months either with LA ( 600 mg/d , n = 16 ) , or with AT ( 400 IU/d , n = 15 ) alone , and then with the combination of both for 2 additional months . At baseline , after 2 and 4 months of supplementation , urine for F2-isoprostanes , plasma for protein carbonyl measurement and low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) oxidative susceptibility was collected . Plasma oxidizability was assessed after incubation with 100 mM 2,2'-azobis ( 2-amidinopropane ) hydrochloride ( AAPH ) for 4 h at 37 degrees C. LDL was subjected to copper- and AAPH-catalyzed oxidation at 37 degrees C over 5 h and the lag time was computed . LA significantly increased the lag time of LDL lipid peroxide formation for both copper-catalyzed and AAPH-induced LDL oxidalion ( p < .05 ) , decreased urinary F2-isoprostanes levels ( p < .05 ) , and plasma carbonyl levels after AAPH oxidation ( p < .001 ) . AT prolonged LDL lag time of lipid peroxide formation ( p < .01 ) and conjugated dienes ( p < .01 ) after copper-catalyzed LDL oxidation , decreased urinary F2-isoprostanes ( p < .001 ) , but had no effect on plasma carbonyls . The addition of LA to AT did not produce an additional significant improvement in the measures of oxidative stress . In conclusion , LA supplementation functions as an antioxidant , because it decreases plasma- and LDL-oxidation and urinary isoprostanes Obese subjects with impaired glucose tolerance ( IGT ) are more susceptible than healthy individuals to oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease . This r and omised controlled investigation was design ed to test the hypothesis that α-lipoic acid supplementation and exercise training may elicit favourable clinical changes in obese subjects with IGT . All data were collected from 24 obese ( BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 ) IGT patients . Following participant r and omisation into two groups , fasting venous blood sample s were obtained at baseline , and before and following intervention . The first group consisted of 12 participants who completed a 12 week control phase followed by 12 weeks of chronic exercise at 65 % HRmax for 30 minutes a day , 5 days per week , while ingesting 1 gram per day of α-lipoic acid for 12 weeks . The second group consisted of 12 participants who completed the same 12 week control phase , but this was followed by 12 weeks of 1 gram per day of α-lipoic acid supplementation only ( no exercise ) . The main findings show a comparatively greater rate of low density lipoprotein ( LDL ) oxidation in the group consisting of α-lipoic acid only ( p < 0.05 vs. pre intervention ) , although total oxidant status was lower post intervention ( p < 0.05 vs. baseline ) in this group . However , exercise and α-lipoic acid in combination attenuates LDL oxidation . Furthermore , in the α-lipoic acid supplement plus exercise training  group , total antioxidant capacity was significantly increased ( p < 0.05 vs. baseline and pre intervention ) . Body fat percentage and waist and hip circumference decreased following exercise training ( p < 0.05 vs. post intervention ) . There were no selective treatment differences for a range of other clinical outcomes including glycaemic regulation ( p > 0.05 ) . These findings report that α-lipoic acid ingestion may increase the atherogenicity of LDL when ingested in isolation of exercise , suggesting that in IGT the use of this antioxidant treatment does not ameliorate metabolic disturbances , but instead may detrimentally contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and development of CVD . However , when α-lipoic acid is combined with exercise , this atherogenic effect is abolished OBJECTIVE To evaluate the potential body weight-lowering effects of dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) and α-lipoic acid separately or combined in healthy overweight/obese women following a hypocaloric diet . METHODS This is a short-term double-blind placebo-controlled study with parallel design that lasted 10 weeks . Of the r and omized participants , 97 women received the allocated treatment  [ Control , EPA ( 1.3 g/d ) , α-lipoic acid ( 0.3 g/d ) , and EPA+α-lipoic acid ( 1.3 g/d+0.3 g/d ) ] , and 77 volunteers completed the study . All groups followed an energy-restricted diet of 30 % less than total energy expenditure . Body weight , anthropometric measurements , body composition , resting energy expenditure , blood pressure , serum glucose , and insulin and lipid profile , as well as leptin and ghrelin levels , were assessed at baseline and after nutritional intervention . RESULTS Body weight loss was significantly higher ( P<0.05 ) in those groups supplemented with α-lipoic acid . EPA supplementation significantly attenuated ( P<0.001 ) the decrease in leptin levels that occurs during weight loss . Body weight loss improved lipid and glucose metabolism parameters but without significant differences between groups . CONCLUSIONS The intervention suggests that α-lipoic acid supplementation alone or in combination with EPA may help to promote body weight loss in healthy overweight/obese women following energy-restricted diets
The present study revealed that supplementation with ALA slightly but significantly decreased body weight and BMI .
Safe dosage for ALA is up to 1200 mg/day .
However , it seems that ALA can not be cost-effective .
BACKGROUND & AIMS Previous studies have supported positive roles of antioxidant supplements on  weight-loss .
One antioxidant supplement is Alpha-lipoic acid .
However , recommending ALA as an anti-obesity supplement remains controversial .
Accordingly , the purpose of the present study was to perform a meta- analysis on the effects of ALA supplement on anthropometric indices  among adult subjects .