Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and serum lipid profile levels in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Glycemic and oxidative status of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus following oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study. 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. Alpha-Linolenic Acid: Is It Essential to Cardiovascular Health? The comparison of antioxidant and hematological properties of N-acetylcysteine and alpha-lipoic acid in physically active males. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): controlled open trial of the efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) on symptomatology. Study of comparative effects of antioxidants on insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Usefulness of omega-3 fatty acids and the prevention of coronary heart disease. Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on asymmetric dimethylarginine and disability in multiple sclerosis patients: A randomized clinical trial Creation of a database to assess effects of omega-3, omega-6 and total polyunsaturated fats on health: methodology for a set of systematic reviews Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): an open trial of comparative efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) with other therapies. The sensory symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy are improved with alpha-lipoic acid: the SYDNEY trial. Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled pilot trial. Impact of therapy with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on the oxidative stress in the controlled NIDDM: a possible preventive way against the organ dysfunction? 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 serum levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in patient with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on blood glucose, insulin resistance and glutathione peroxidase of type 2 diabetic patients. Impact of combined therapy with alpha-lipoic and ursodeoxycolic acid on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: double-blind, randomized clinical trial of efficacy and safety Effects of α-lipoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in overweight and obese women during weight loss. α-Lipoic acid reduced weight gain and improved the lipid profile in rats fed with high fat diet Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A 3-week multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN Study).
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 Despite well-controlled blood glucose levels , diabetic complications still inevitably take place via several mechanisms including excessive generation of free radicals in patients who suffer from diabetes mellitus ( DM ) . A r and omized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial to investigate the effectiveness of oral supplementation of DL-alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) on glycemic and oxidative status in DM patients was conducted . Thirty eight out patients with type 2 DM were recruited and r and omly assigned to either placebo or treatment in various doses of ALA ( 300 , 600 , 900 , and 1200 mg/day ) for 6 months . Following the treatment , all subjects were evaluated for glucose status and oxidative biomarkers . Results showed that fasting blood glucose , HbA1c trended to decrease in a dose-dependent manner . Increase of urinary PGF2α-Isoprostanes ( F2α-IsoP ) was noted in placebo but not ALA-treated groups , indicating possible suppressing action of ALA on lipid peroxidation in DM subjects . 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine ( 8-OHdG ) levels , however , were similar in both placebo and ALA groups as well as urinary microalbumin and serum creatinine . Safety evaluation was monitored and treatment was found to be well tolerated despite some minor side effects . Results from this study reflected the benefits of ALA in glucose status with slight efficiency on oxidative stress-related deterioration in DM patients 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 There is a large body of scientific evidence that has been confirmed in r and omized controlled trials indicating a cardioprotective effect for omega-3 fatty acids from fish . For alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) , which is the omega-3 fatty acid from plants , the relation to cardiovascular health is less clear . We review ed the recent literature on dietary ALA intake , ALA tissue concentrations , and cardiovascular health in humans . Short-term trials ( 6–12 weeks ) in generally healthy participants mostly showed no or inconsistent effects of ALA intake ( 1.2–3.6 g/d ) on blood lipids , low-density lipoprotein oxidation , lipoprotein(a ) , and apolipoproteins A-I and B. Studies of ALA in relation to inflammatory markers and glucose metabolism yielded conflicting results . With regard to clinical cardiovascular outcomes , there is observational evidence for a protective effect against nonfatal myocardial infa rct ion . However , no protective associations were observed between  ALA status and risk of heart failure , atrial fibrillation , and sudden death . Findings from long-term trials of ALA supplementation are awaited to answer the question whether food-based or higher doses of ALA could be important for cardiovascular health in cardiac patients and the general population 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 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 OBJECTIVES This study intended to assess the effects of the antioxidants ; Alpha Lipoic Acid ( ALA ) , omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E on the parameters of insulin sensitivity , oxidative stress , lipid metabolism and glycaemic control in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus . METHODS This was a prospect i ve , r and omized , double blind , placebo controlled , single centred study . One hundred four patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with insulin resistance were recruited for the study . They were given ALA , omega 3 fatty acids , vitamin E or placebo . Their weight , Body Mass Index ( BMI ) and Waist circumference were measured . The investigations which were fasting glucose and fasting total cholesterol . The insulin resistance was calculated on the basis of the BMI and the waist circumference . RESULTS In the intra group analysis at the baseline ( V1 ) vs at the end of the treatment period ( V5 ) , we observed a significant decrease in the BMI , waist circumference and the total cholesterol in the three treatment groups . In the intergroup analysis at V5 , ALA , omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E showed a significant improvement in the total cholesterol as compared to the placebo and vitamin E showed the maximum improvement . CONCLUSION ALA , omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E showed the improvement in insulin sensitivity . Since they differ in improving different parameters all of these three can be used as an add on therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve their insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism Clinical trial evidence exists that supports a role for the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in coronary heart disease prevention . However , the results from these clinical trials have varied and were conducted in diverse population groups using several different types of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids , including eicosapentaenoic acid , docosahexaenoic acid , and alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) . Thus , we systematic ally review ed previously published reports assessing the different types of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid interventions and cardiovascular outcomes . Fourteen r and omized clinical trials were included in the review . Six trials were included with fish oil , with 1 large trial ( 10,000 patients ) dominating the analysis . In aggregate , the fish oil trials demonstrated a reduction in total mortality and sudden death without a clinical ly significant reduction in nonfatal myocardial infa rct ion . The 6 trials with ALA supplements or an ALA-enriched diet were of poorer design than the fish oil trials and had limited power . Many of the trials with ALA involved other changes in dietary components . In aggregate , the ALA trials demonstrated possible benefits in reducing sudden death and nonfatal myocardial infa rct ion , but with wider confidence intervals than in the fish oil trials . In conclusion , the evidence suggests a role for fish oil ( eicosapentaenoic acid , docosahexaenoic acid ) or fish in secondary prevention because recent clinical trial data have demonstrated a significant reduction in total mortality , coronary heart disease death , and sudden death . The data on ALA have been limited by studies of smaller sample size and limited quality 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 Objective To create a data base of long-term r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) comparing higher with lower omega-3 , omega-6 or total polyunsaturated fatty acid ( PUFA ) , regardless of reported outcomes , and to develop methods to assess effects of increasing omega-6 , alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) , long-chain omega-3 ( LCn3 ) and total PUFA on health outcomes . Design Systematic review search , methodology and meta-analyses . Data sources Medline , Embase , CENTRAL , WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform , Clinical trials.gov and trials in relevant systematic review s. Eligibility criteria RCTs of ≥24 weeks ' duration assessing effects of increasing ALA , LCn3 , omega-6 or total PUFAs , regardless of outcomes reported . Data synthesis Methods included r and om-effects meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses . Funnel plots were examined , and subgrouping assessed effects of intervention type , replacement , baseline diabetes risk and use of diabetic medications , trial duration and dose . Quality of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment , Development and Evaluation ( GRADE ) . Results Electronic search es generated 37 810 hits , de-duplicated to 19 772 titles and abstract s. We assessed 2155 full-text papers , conference abstract s and trials registry entries independently in duplicate . Included studies were grouped into 363 RCTs comparing higher with lower omega-3 , omega-6 and /or total PUFA intake of at least 6 months ’ duration —the Data base . Of these 363 included RCTs , 216 RCTs were included in at least one of our review s of health outcomes , data extracted and risk of bias assessed in duplicate . Ninety five RCTs were included in the Data base but not included in our current review s. Of these 311 completed trials , 27 altered ALA intake , 221 altered LCn3 intake and 16 trials altered omega-3 intake without specifying whether ALA or LCn3 . Forty one trials altered omega-6 and 59 total PUFA.The remaining 52 trials are ongoing though 13 ( 25 % ) appear to be outst and ing , or constitute missing data . Conclusions This extensive data base of trials is available to allow assessment of further health outcomes 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 OBJECTIVE Because alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) , a potent antioxidant , prevents or improves nerve conduction attributes , endoneurial blood flow , and nerve ( Na(+ ) K(+ ) ATPase activity in experimental diabetes and in humans and may improve positive neuropathic sensory symptoms , in this report we further assess the safety and efficacy of ALA on the Total Symptom Score ( TSS ) , a measure of positive neuropathic sensory symptoms . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Metabolically stable diabetic patients with symptomatic ( stage 2 ) diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy ( DSPN ) were r and omized to a parallel , double-blind study of ALA ( 600 mg ) ( n = 60 ) or placebo ( n = 60 ) infused daily intravenously for 5 days/week for 14 treatments . The primary end point was change of the sum score of daily assessment s of severity and duration of TSS . Secondary end points were sum scores of neuropathy signs ( NIS ) , symptoms ( NSC ) , attributes of nerve conduction , quantitative sensation tests ( QSTs ) , and an autonomic test . RESULTS At r and omization , the groups were not significantly different by the criteria of metabolic control or neuropathic end points . After 14 treatments , the TSS of the ALA group had improved from baseline by an average of 5.7 points and the placebo group by an average of 1.8 points ( P < 0.001 ) . Statistically significant improvement from baseline of the ALA , as compared with the placebo group , was also found for each item of the TSS ( lancinating and burning pain , asleep numbness and prickling ) , NIS , one attribute of nerve conduction , and global assessment of efficacy . CONCLUSIONS Intravenous racemic ALA , a potent antioxidant , rapidly and to a significant and meaningful degree , improved such positive neuropathic sensory symptoms as pain and several other neuropathic end points . This improvement of symptoms was attributed to improved nerve pathophysiology , not to increased nerve fiber degeneration . Because of its safety profile and its effect on positive neuropathic sensory symptoms and other neuropathic end points , this drug appears to be a useful ancillary treatment for the symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy Alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) , a naturally occuring compound and a radical scavenger was shown to enhance glucose transport and utilization in different experimental and animal models . Clinical studies described an increase of insulin sensitivity after acute and short-term ( 10 d ) parenteral administration of ALA . The effects of a 4-week oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid were evaluated in a placebo-controlled , multicenter pilot study to determine see whether oral treatment also improves insulin sensitivity . Seventy-four patients with type-2 diabetes were r and omized to either placebo ( n = 19 ) ; or active treatment in various doses of 600 mg once daily ( n = 19 ) , twice daily ( 1200 mg ; n = 18 ) , or thrice daily ( 1800 mg ; n = 18 ) alpha-lipoic acid . An isoglycemic glucose-clamp was done on days 0 ( pre ) and 29 ( post ) . In this explorative study , analysis was done according to the number of subjects showing an improvement of insulin sensitivity after treatment . Furthermore , the effects of active vs. placebo treatment on insulin sensitivity was compared . All four groups were comparable and had a similar degree of hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity at baseline . When compared to placebo , significantly more subjects had an increase in insulin-stimulated glucose disposal ( MCR ) after ALA treatment in each group . As there was no dose effect seen in the three different alpha-lipoic acid groups , all subjects receiving ALA were combined in the " active " group and then compared to placebo . This revealed significantly different changes in MCR after treatment ( + 27 % vs. placebo ; p < .01 ) . This placebo-controlled explorative study confirms previous observations of an increase of insulin sensitivity in type-2 diabetes after acute and chronic intravenous administration of ALA . The results suggest that oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid can improve insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes . The encouraging findings of this pilot trial need to be substantiated by further investigations There is a growing evidence that excess generation of highly reactive free radicals , largely due to hyperglycemia , causes oxidative stress , which further exacerbates the development and progression of diabetes and its complications . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of ALA on lipid profile , oxidative pattern and inflammation in patients with controlled non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus ( NIDDM ) .  ALA , 400mg/day was investigated in NIDDM patients over a period of 4 weeks using a r and omized , placebo-(PLA)-controlled study with two parallel groups . The marker of oxidative stress was the concentration of reactive oxygen metabolites , evaluated using a commercially available test , called d-ROMs  test  , and the  biological antioxidant potential ( BAP ) ; besides , the lipid profile ( total cholesterol = TC , high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol = HDL-C ; low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol = LDL-C , and triglycerides = TG ) and the C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , marker of inflammation were measured at the beginning and at the end of the treatment . A total of 14 patients were r and omly assigned to the two groups . ALA was safe and well tolerated in the only oral daily administration . The d-ROMs test ( p=0.03 ) and HDL-C ( p=0.04 ) showed a significant difference between the two groups . BAP ( p=0.06 ) tended to be higher in the treated patients , while LDL-C ( p=0.07 ) presented a moderate decline . There were no significant differences in TC ( p=0.65 ) , TG ( p=0.78 ) and CRP ( p=0.96 ) between the ALA and PLA groups . ALA therapy appears to reduce significantly d-ROMs and to improve HDL-C value , especially in men with metabolic syndrome treated with oral hypoglycemic drugs . These findings will be useful in patient selection in future clinical trials with ALA in long term studies 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 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 OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) treatment over a period of 2 months on fasting blood glucose ( FBG ) , insulin resistance ( IR ) , and glutathione peroxidase ( GH-Px ) activity in type 2 diabetes ( T2DM ) patients . METHODS This study took place in Motahari Clinic , Shiraz , Iran , which is affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from May to October 2006 . Type 2 DM patients ( n=57 ) were divided into 2 groups to receive either ALA ( 300 mg daily ) or placebo by systematic r and omization , and were followed-up for 8 weeks . After an overnight fasting and 2 hours after breakfast , patients ' blood sample s were drawn and tested for FBG , 2 hours  PPG , serum insulin level , and GH-Px activity .  RESULTS The result of the study showed a significant decrease in FBG and PPG levels , IR-Homeostasis Model Assessment ( IR-HOMA index ) and GH-Px level in the ALA group . The comparison of differences between FBG and IR at the beginning and at the end of study in the ALA treated group and the placebo group were also significant . CONCLUSION This study supports the use of ALA as an antioxidant in the care of diabetic patients Background and purpose Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ) is one of the causes of a fatty liver , occurring when fat is deposited ( steatosis ) in the liver not due to excessive alcohol use . It is related to insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome . The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of combination therapy with alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) and ursodeoxycholic acid ( UDCA ) on NAFLD . Methods Alpha-lipoic acid 400 mg/day plus UDCA 300 mg/day ( ALAUDCA ) was investigated in patients over a period of 12 months using a r and omized , placebo (PLA)-controlled study with four parallel groups . Serum concentration of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase ( GGT ) , alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) , aspartate aminotransferase ( AST ) , albumin and platelets ( PLT ) were measured at the beginning and at the end of the treatment . Moreover , the AST/ALT ratio and the NAFLD fibrosis score were examined . Results A total of 120 patients were r and omly assigned to the four groups . ALA and UDCA were safe and well tolerated in the oral daily administration only . AST , ALT , GGT ( p < 0.001 ) showed a significant difference between ALAUDCA and other three groups . Besides , NAFLD fibrosis score underlined a significant reduction ( p < 0.04 ) in the ALAUDCA group , while AST/ALT ratio presented a moderate decline ( p > 0.05 ) . Conclusion ALAUDCA therapy reduced AST , ALT , GGT values and improved NAFLD fibrosis score and AST/ALT ratio , especially in patients who were on a hypocaloric diet . These findings will be useful in patient selection in future clinical trials with ALAUDCA in long-term studies 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 purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of α-lipoic acid on body weight and lipid profiles in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high fat diet ( HFD ) .  After 4 weeks of feeding , rats on the HFD were divided into three groups by r and omized block design ; the first group received the high-fat-diet ( n = 10 ) , and the second group received the HFD administered with 0.25 % α-lipoic acid ( 0.25LA ) , and the third group received the high-fat diet with 0.5 % α-lipoic acid ( 0.5LA ) . The high fat diet with α-lipoic acid supplemented groups had significantly inhibited body weight gain , compared to that in the HFD group ( P < 0.05 ) . Organ weights of rats were also significantly reduced in liver , kidney , spleen , and visible fat tissues in rats supplemented with α-lipoic acid ( P < 0.05 ) . Significant differences in plasma lipid profiles , such as total lipids , total cholesterol , triglycerides , low-density lipoprotein , and high-density lipoprotein , were observed between the HFD and 0.5LA groups . The atherogenic index and the plasma high density lipoprotein-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio improved significantly with α-lipoic acid supplementation in a dose-dependent manner ( P < 0.05 ) . Total hepatic cholesterol and total lipid concentration decreased significantly in high fat fed rats supplemented with α-lipoic acid in a dose-dependent manner ( P < 0.05 ) , whereas liver triglyceride content was not affected . In conclusion , α-lipoic acid supplementation had a positive effect on weight gain and plasma and liver lipid profiles in rats Anti-oxidant treatment has been shown to prevent nerve dysfunction in experimental diabetes mellitus , thus providing a rationale of potential therapeutic value for diabetic patients . The effects of the anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic acid ( thioctic acid ) were studied in a 3-week multicentre , r and omized , double-blind placebo-controlled trial ( Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Diabetic Neuropathy ; ALADIN ) in 328 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients with symptomatic peripheral neuropathy who were r and omly assigned to treatment with intravenous infusion of alpha-lipoic acid using three doses ( 1200 , 600 , or 100 mg ALA ) or placebo ( PLAC ) . Neuropathic symptoms ( pain , burning , paraesthesiae , and numbness ) were scored at baseline and at each visit ( days 2 - 5 , 8 - 12 , and 15 - 19 ) prior to infusion . In addition , the Hamburg Pain Adjective List , a multidimensional specific pain question naire , and the Neuropathy Symptom and Disability Scores were assessed at baseline and day 19 . According to the protocol 260 ( 65/63/66/66 ) patients completed the study . The total symptom score in the feet decreased from baseline to day 19 by -4.5 + /- 3.7 ( -58.6 % ) points ( mean + /- SD ) in ALA 1200 , -5.0 + /- 4.1 ( -63.5 % ) points in ALA 600 , -3.3 + /- 2.8 ( -43.2 % ) points in ALA 100 , and -2.6 + /- 3.2 ( -38.4 % ) points in PLAC ( ALA 1200 vs PLAC : p = 0.003 ; ALA 600 vs PLAC : p < 0.001 ) . The response rates after 19 days , defined as an improvement in the total symptom score of at least 30 % , were 70.8 % in ALA 1200 , 82.5 % in ALA 600 , 65.2 % in ALA 100 , and 57.6 % in PLAC ( ALA 600 vs PLAC ; p = 0.002 ) . The total scale of the Pain Adjective List was significantly reduced in ALA 1200 and ALA 600 as compared with PLAC after 19 days ( both p < 0.01 ) . The rates of adverse events were 32.6 % in ALA 1200 , 18.2 % in ALA 600 , 13.6 % in ALA 100 , and 20.7 % in PLAC . These findings substantiate that intravenous treatment with alpha-lipoic acid using a dose of 600 mg/day over 3 weeks is superior to placebo in reducing symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy , without causing significant adverse reactions
Overall , the current meta- analysis demonstrated that ALA administration may lead to an improvement in glucose homeostasis parameters and lipid profiles except HDL-cholesterol levels
OBJECTIVE This systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) was performed to summarize the effect of alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profiles among patients with metabolic diseases .