The effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in men with chronic spinal cord injury: a clinical trial

Abstract

Study design: A randomized, 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. Spinal Cord (2015) 53, 621-624; doi:10.1038/sc.2015.35; published online 10 March 2015 INTRODUCTION Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) or thiocitic acid is an eight-carbon, sulfurcontaining compound. It functions as a cofactor in the multienzyme complexes that catalyze the oxidative decarboxylation of α-keto acids. 1 There is general agreement about the antioxidant properties of ALA, which is thought to work by scavenging free radicals directly, chelating metallic ions, increasing intracellular glutathione and activating endogenous antioxidant systems. 2,3 ALA's antioxidant properties are thought to inhibit the deleterious mechanisms associated with inflammation; however, a number of studies suggest contradictory effects for ALA on inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP). [4][5][6] Apart from the antioxidant properties of ALA, it is found to increase nitric oxide synthesis through which endothelial function is probably improved. 7 In addition, ALA reduces body weight and changes other anthropometric indices by suppressing appetite and increasing metabolism. [8][9][10][11][12] Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition and entails considerable burden on the individual and society. 13,14 Persons with chronic SCI are at increased risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and systemic inflammation [15][16][17][18][19] because of changes in their lifestyle, body composition and fat mass. 20 However, these complications may be preventable and treatable. 21 Studying the effect of ALA on cardiovascular risk factors and ...

Does alpha-lipoic acid supplement regulate blood pressure? A systematic review of randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials

“…[131430] Authors mentioned that a possible reason for the difference between their result and the other studies could be due to the inherent physical differences associated with these study participants. [20] Results of the other study,[22] with a significant effect of ALA on BP, can be explained through mentioned mechanism.…”

“…[20] assessed the effect of ALA supplementation on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in male patients with chronic spinal cord injury. They prescribed 600 mg ALA for 12 weeks and then compared within and between groups’ changes.…”

“…Five studies indicate no significant effects for ALA supplementation on BP,[2324252627] but two trials on chronic spinal cord injury males[20] and type 2 diabetic patients[22] reported significant effects for this antioxidant on both SBP and DBPs.…”

“…[1314] In addition, ALA can increase nitric oxide production and improve endothelial function, therefore affects BP. [21] Mohammadi et al .,[20] in their study on chronic spinal cord injury patients, reported a significant reduction in SBP and DBP within ALA group and in comparison with placebo. These findings can be explained by rising effect of the supplement on reduced GSH levels in tissues GSH peroxidase activity and nitric oxide production in endothelial cells.…”

“…[1415] Besides the antioxidant properties of ALA, nitric oxide synthesis can be increased by ALA, which may improve endothelial function. [16] Several animal[171819] and human[202122] studies investigated the effect of ALA on BP and some introduced it as a potential BP regulator. To the best of our knowledge, there is no systematic review in this field; moreover, the results of studies are contradictory.…”