Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and serum lipid profile levels in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid, EPA, and DHA have differential effects on LDL fatty acid composition but similar effects on serum lipid profiles in normolipidemic humans. The comparison of antioxidant and hematological properties of N-acetylcysteine and alpha-lipoic acid in physically active males. Effect of alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation, and malnutrition in hemodialysis patients. Impact of therapy with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on the oxidative stress in the controlled NIDDM: a possible preventive way against the organ dysfunction? The sensory symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy are improved with alpha-lipoic acid: the SYDNEY trial. Effects of a lipid-based nutrient supplement during pregnancy and lactation on maternal plasma fatty acid status and lipid profile: Results of two randomized controlled trials☆ 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. Effects of hempseed and flaxseed oils on the profile of serum lipids, serum total and lipoprotein lipid concentrations and haemostatic factors Benefits of foods supplemented with vegetable oils rich in α-linolenic, stearidonic or docosahexaenoic acid in hypertriglyceridemic subjects: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trail Study of comparative effects of antioxidants on insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A 3-week multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN Study). Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled pilot trial. Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on asymmetric dimethylarginine and disability in multiple sclerosis patients: A randomized clinical trial Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Multiple Cytokines and Biomarkers and Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation Within 1 Year of Catheter Ablation. Evaluation of laser therapy and alpha-lipoic acid for the treatment of burning mouth syndrome: a randomized clinical trial Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): an open trial of comparative efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) with other therapies. Sheep cheese naturally enriched in α-linolenic, conjugated linoleic and vaccenic acids improves the lipid profile and reduces anandamide in the plasma of hypercholesterolaemic subjects. 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 dietary alpha-linolenic acid on thrombotic risk factors in vegetarian men. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid inhibits proinflammatory cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): controlled open trial of the efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) on symptomatology. Alpha lipoic acid in burning mouth syndrome--a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
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 Our aim was to study the effects of increased dietary intake of alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) , eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) , or docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) on serum lipids and LDL fatty acid compositions . To this end , a controlled parallel study was conducted in 74 healthy normolipidemic men and women aged 19 - 43 y. Participants were r and omly assigned to 1 of 3 interventions and consumed a total intake of 4.4 g/d ALA ( ALA group ) , 2.2 g/d EPA ( EPA group ) , and 2.3 g/d DHA ( DHA group ) for 6 wk . Fatty acid ethyl esters were incorporated into margarines , which replaced the participant 's normal spread . The ALA , EPA , or DHA intake led to a significant enrichment of the LDL with the respective ( n-3 ) fatty acid . In addition , LDL EPA contents in the ALA group increased by 36 % ( P < 0.05 ) with no changes in LDL DHA . The EPA intervention led to an additional enrichment with DHA ( 24 % ; P < 0.001 ) , whereas the DHA intervention further increased the amount of EPA ( 249 % ; P < 0.001 ) . ALA , EPA , or DHA intake did not affect fasting serum concentrations of total and LDL cholesterol , but fasting serum triacylglycerol concentrations significantly decreased in the EPA ( -0.14 mmol/L ) and DHA ( -0.30 mmol/L ) interventions and also in the ALA intervention ( -0.17 mmol/L ) . DHA intake significantly increased serum HDL cholesterol , whereas no changes were found with ALA or EPA intake . In conclusion , the present data support the hypothesis that isolated dietary ALA , EPA , and DHA intakes lead to differential enrichment in LDL due to interconversion . Moderate amounts of ALA , EPA , and DHA are effective in improving lipid profiles of normolipidemic humans 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 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 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 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 It is unknown whether a novel small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement ( SQ-LNS ) containing alpha-linolenic ( ALA ) and linoleic acids impacts  maternal plasma lipids and fatty acid status .  We measured plasma fatty acids ( wt% ) and lipid concentrations at 36 wk gestation and breast milk fatty acids ( wt% ) at 6 months postpartum in a sub sample of women enrolled in a r and omized controlled trial study ing the effects of SQ-LNS on birth outcomes and child growth . Women≤20 wk gestation in Ghana ( n=1,320 ) and Malawi ( n=1,391 ) were assigned to receive daily either : 1 ) iron-folic acid ( pregnancy ) ; 2 ) multiple micronutrients ( pregnancy and lactation ) ; or 3 ) SQ-LNS ( pregnancy and lactation ) . At 36 wk , plasma ALA levels were higher in those receiving SQ-LNS . SQ-LNS  increased breast milk ALA in Ghana but not Malawi . There was no effect on plasma lipids or other selected fatty acids . SQ-LNS may impact plasma and breast milk ALA levels depending on the population 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 Summary Background Both hempseed oil ( HO ) and flaxseed oil ( FO ) contain high amounts of essential fatty acids ( FAs ) ; i.e. linoleic acid ( LA , 18:2n-6 ) and alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA , 18:3n-3 ) , but almost in opposite ratios . An excessive intake of one essential FA over the other may interfere with the metabolism of the other while the metabolisms of LA and ALA compete for the same enzymes . It is not known whether there is a difference between n-3 and n-6 FA of plant origin in the effects on serum lipid profile . Aim of the study To compare the effects of HO and FO on the profile of serum lipids and fasting concentrations of serum total and lipoprotein lipids , plasma glucose and insulin , and haemostatic factors in healthy humans . Methods Fourteen healthy volunteers participated in the study . A r and omised , double-blind crossover design was used . The volunteers consumed HO and FO ( 30 ml/day ) for 4 weeks each . The periods were separated by a 4-week washout period . Results The HO period result ed in higher proportions of both LA and gamma-linolenic acid in serum cholesteryl esters ( CE ) and triglycerides ( TG ) as compared with the FO period ( P < 0.001 ) , whereas the FO period result ed in a higher proportion of ALA in both serum CE and TG as compared with the HO period ( P < 0.001 ) . The proportion of arachidonic acid in CE was lower after the FO period than after the HO period ( P < 0.05 ) . The HO period result ed in a lower total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio compared with the FO period ( P = 0.065 ) . No significant differences were found between the periods in measured values of fasting serum total or lipoprotein lipids , plasma glucose , insulin or hemostatic factors . Conclusions The effects of HO and FO on the profile of serum lipids differed significantly , with only minor effects on concentrations of fasting serum total or lipoprotein lipids , and no significant changes in concentrations of plasma glucose or insulin or in haemostatic factors Abstract Purpose The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of foods enriched with vegetable oils varying in their n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids profile on  cardiovascular risk factors for hypertriglyceridemic subjects . Methods Fifty-nine hypertriglyceridemic subjects ( triglycerides ≥ 1.5 mmol/L ) were included in the r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , crossover study . The placebo group received sunflower oil [ linoleic acid ( LA ) group ; 10 g LA/day ] . The intervention groups received linseed oil [ α-linolenic acid ( ALA ) group ; 7 g ALA/day ] , echium oil [ stearidonic acid ( SDA ) group ; 2 g SDA/day ] or microalgae oil [ docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) group ; 2 g DHA/day ] over 10 weeks . Blood sample s were collected at baseline and at the end of each period . Results Total cholesterol ( TC ) and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly in the LA and ALA groups ( LA : P ≤ 0.01 , ALA : P ≤ 0.05 ) . No changes in blood lipids were observed in the SDA group . Significant increases in TC and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol occurred in the DHA group ( P ≤ 0.05 ) . In the ALA and SDA groups , the content of eicosapentaenoic acid in erythrocyte lipids increased significantly ( P ≤ 0.05 ) after 10 weeks ( ALA group : 38 ± 37 % , SDA group : 73 ± 59 % ) . Conclusion Foods enriched with different vegetable oils rich in ALA or SDA are able to increase the n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids content in erythrocyte lipids ; echium oil is more potent in comparison with linseed oil . Blood lipids were beneficially modified through the consumption of food products enriched with sunflower , linseed and microalgae oils , whereas echium oil did not affect blood lipids . Clinical Trials.gov : NCT01437930 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 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 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 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 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 The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy ( LLLT ) and alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) in the treatment of  burning mouth syndrome ( BMS ) and secondary oral burning ( SOB ) by unstimulated sialometry , symptom assessment , and measurement of salivary TNF-α levels . Forty-four patients were r and omized into four treatment groups : BMS/laser ( n = 10 ) , BMS/ALA ( n = 5 ) , SOB/laser ( n = 15 ) , and SOB/ALA ( n = 14 ) . The control group consisted of eight healthy female subjects . Unstimulated salivary flow was measured before and after treatment , and the collected saliva was stored at − 20 ° C for the analysis of TNF-α . Symptoms were evaluated before and after treatment using a pain visual analog scale . Most patients were women ( 81.8 % ) during menopause ( 72.2 % ) . LLLT and ALA were efficient in increasing salivary flow only in BMS but provided symptom relief in both conditions . TNF-α levels did not differ between patients with BMS and SOB or between those patients and the control group . No differences were observed in posttreatment TNF-α levels in either condition . The results of this study suggest that LLLT and ALA are efficient therapies in reducing burning mouth symptoms , with LLLT being more efficient than ALA 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 Intake of dairy fat has long been considered as a risk factor for CVD . Pasture and dietary lipid supplementation have been reported to be reliable strategies in ruminant nutrition , in order to increase the content of α-linolenic acid ( ALA ) , conjugated linoleic acid ( CLA ) and vaccenic acid ( VA ) , and decrease SFA in milk fat . In the present study , we aim ed at verifying whether consumption of a sheep cheese , naturally enriched in ALA , CLA and VA , would modify the plasma lipid and endocannabinoid profiles in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects . A total of forty-two adult volunteers ( nineteen males and twenty-three females ) with diagnosed mildly hypercholesterolaemia ( total cholesterol 5·68 - 7·49 mmol/l ) were r and omly assigned to eat 90 g/d of a control or enriched cheese for 3 weeks , with a cross-over after 3 weeks of  washout . Plasma lipids , endocannabinoids , adipokines and inflammatory markers were measured . The intake of enriched cheese significantly increased the plasma concentrations of CLA , VA , the n-3 fatty acids ALA and EPA , and more remarkably decreased that of the endocannabinoid an and amide . LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly ( 7 % ) . No changes were detected in the levels of inflammatory markers ; however , a significant correlation was found between the plasma levels of an and amide and leptin . The control cheese modified none of the parameters measured . The results obtained do not support the view that intake of dairy fat is detrimental to hypercholesterolaemic subjects . Indeed , they show that a naturally enriched cheese possesses beneficial properties , since it ameliorates the plasma lipid profile , and more remarkably reduces endocannabinoid bio synthesis 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 BACKGROUND Vegetarians have lower platelet and plasma concentrations of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) than do omnivores . We recently showed that male vegetarians have higher platelet aggregability than do omnivores . OBJECTIVE We investigated whether male vegetarians ( n = 17 ) who consumed an increased amount of dietary alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA )  showed any changes in their tissue profile of PUFAs , plasma thromboxane concentrations , platelet aggregability , or hemostatic factors . DESIGN During the study , all subjects maintained their habitual vegetarian diets except that a proportion of dietary fat was replaced with vegetable oils and margarines that were provided . Initially , all subjects consumed a low-ALA diet ( containing safflower oil and safflower oil-based margarine ) for 14 d ; they then consumed either a moderate-ALA diet ( containing canola oil and canola oil-based margarine ) or a high-ALA diet ( containing linseed oil and linseed oil-based margarine ) for 28 d. Blood sample s were collected at day 0 ( baseline ) , day 14 , and day 42 . RESULTS Eicosapentaenoic acid , docosapentaenoic acid , total n-3 PUFAs , and the ratio of n-3 to n-6 PUFAs were significantly increased ( P < 0.05 ) , whereas the ratio of arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid was decreased ( P < 0.05 ) , in platelet phospholipids , plasma phospholipids , and triacylglycerols after either the moderate-ALA or high-ALA diet compared with the low-ALA diet . No significant differences were observed in thrombotic risk factors . CONCLUSION ALA from vegetable oils ( canola and linseed ) has a beneficial effect on n-3 PUFA concentrations of platelet phospholipids and plasma lipids in vegetarian males BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease . We previously reported that a diet high in alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) reduces lipid and inflammatory cardiovascular disease risk factors in hypercholesterolemic subjects . OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate the effects of a diet high in ALA on serum proinflammatory cytokine concentrations and cytokine production by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( P BMC s ) from subjects fed the experimental diets . DESIGN A r and omized , controlled , 3-diet , 3-period crossover study design was used . Hypercholesterolemic subjects ( n = 23 ) were assigned to 3 experimental diets : a diet high in ALA ( ALA diet ; 6.5 % of energy ) , a diet high in linoleic acid ( LA diet ; 12.6 % of energy ) , and an average American diet ( AAD ) for 6 wk . Serum interleukin (IL)-6 , IL-1beta , and tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-alpha ) concentrations and the production of IL-6 , IL-1beta , and TNF-alpha by P BMC s were measured . RESULTS IL-6 , IL-1beta , and TNF-alpha production by P BMC s and serum TNF-alpha concentrations were lower ( P < 0.05 and P < 0.08 , respectively ) with the ALA diet than with the LA diet or AAD .  P BMC production of TNF-alpha was inversely correlated with ALA ( r = -0.402 , P = 0.07 ) and with eicosapentaenoic acid ( r = -0.476 , P = 0.03 ) concentrations in P BMC lipids with the ALA diet . Changes in serum ALA were inversely correlated with changes in TNF-alpha produced by P BMC s ( r = -0.423 , P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Increased intakes of dietary ALA elicit antiinflammatory effects by inhibiting IL-6 , IL-1beta , and TNF-alpha production in cultured P BMC s. Changes in P BMC ALA and eicosapentaenoic acid ( derived from dietary ALA ) are associated with beneficial changes in TNF-alpha release . Thus , the cardioprotective effects of ALA are mediated in part by a reduction in the production of inflammatory cytokines 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 UNLABELLED The burning mouth syndrome ( BMS ) is a chronic condition characterized by oral burning pain in the absence of clinical abnormalities and without established therapy . OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of alpha lipoic acid ( ALA ) in the management of BMS symptoms through a r and omized double-blind placebo-controlled trial . METHODS Thirty-eight patients ( 34 women and four men , median age 62.9 years , range 36 - 78 ) were included and 31 completed the study . The patients were r and omized into two cycles of treatment : one with alpha lipoic acid and one with placebo both administered in identical capsules . These cycles were separated by a washout period of 20 days . The oral symptoms and the treatment response were assessed using a 100-mm visual analog scale before and after each cycle and the global perceived effect score , using a 5-point scale after each treatment cycle . RESULTS The level of reduction on burning was significant for both treatments ( paired t-test : P < 0.05 ; rp = 0.011 ; ral < 0.001 ) . Considering the two cycles together , 22 patients reported at least some improvement after ALA use and 23 patients after placebo . CONCLUSIONS Comparison of the oral assessment scores of the two cycles failed to demonstrate the effectiveness of ALA over placebo ( t-test : P > 0.05 ; r = 0.75 )
The overall  effect of ALA on serum triglyceride did not reveal any significant change , but in subgroup analysis based on health status ( diabetic vs. non‐diabetic ) , ALA decreased serum triglyceride levels in both diabetic and non‐diabetic groups compared with controls .
This meta‐ analysis revealed that ALA might favorably affect lipid profile especially LDL and TC .
ABSTRACT R and omized 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 .