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Aim: Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a short chain fatty acid which has a key role in energy production. ALA is also known as a universal antioxidant. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of ALA supplementation in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial study was designed. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (n = 60) during 24-28 weeks of gestation were selected and divided randomly into drug (n = 30) and placebo (n = 30) groups. Drug group supplemented with ALA (100 mg/day) for 8 weeks. The biochemical markers were measured before and after the intervention and considered significant at a P-value less than 0.05. Results: Maternal circulating values of fasting blood sugar (P < 0.001), gamma-glutamyltransferase (P < 0.001) and alanine transaminase (P = 0.031) were decreased in the drug group after the intervention. However, values of urea, creatinine, uric acid, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were not changed significantly after the trial. Conclusion: The present study has shown that supplementation with 100 mg/day of ALA had some beneficial effects on glucose metabolism and liver function in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Background: Evidence suggests that Oxidative stress has been shown to plays an important role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) etiology. On the other hand, women with GDM are at an increased risk for complications such as endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases. Objective: To investigate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on the maternal circulating values of lipid profile and lipid ratios in women with GDM. Materials and Methods: Sixty women with GDM were participated in the present study. The ALA group (n = 30) received ALA (100 mg/day) and the placebo group (n = 30) received cellulose acetate (100 mg/day) for eight wk. The maternal circulating values of hemoglobin A1C, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), non-HDL-C, and lipid ratios were assessed before and after the intervention. P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The values of TyG index (p < 0.001), TG (p = 0.006), TG/HDL-C (p = 0.003), and AIP (p = 0.005) decreased significantly in the ALA group after the intervention. Conclusion: Maternal circulating values of TyG index, TG, TG/HDL, AIP decreased after eight wk of ALA supplementation in women with GDM. Key words: Lipoic acid, Gestational diabetes, Lipids, Triglycerides, Cholesterol.

Objectives Pain associated with various underlying pathologies is a major cause of morbidity and diminished life quality in diabetic patients. Effective control of pain requires the use of analgesics with the best efficacy and with minimal side effects. Therefore, our aim in this study was to investigate the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on pain in diabetic rats. Methods In this study, we investigated the analgesic effects of drugs belonging to three different classes of NSAIDs in a rat model of diabetes. Four diabetic groups received normal saline, diclofenac, piroxicam and ketorolac, respectively, and four non-diabetic groups received normal saline, diclofenac, piroxicam and ketorolac. Type 1 diabetes was induced in rats by a single injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg bw). Formalin (50 µL of 2.5%) nociception assay was used to examine the effect of treatment with diclofenac, piroxicam and ketorolac on acute and chronic pain in healthy and diabetic rats. Results Piroxicam showed significant analgesic effects both in the acute phase of pain (5–10 min after injection of formalin into the left hind paw), and in the chronic phase (20–60 min after formalin injection) in healthy as well as diabetic rats. Diclofenac and ketorolac also reduced pain scores in healthy rats. However, these two drugs failed to diminish pain in diabetic rats. Conclusion Our data point for better efficacy of piroxicam in controlling pain in diabetes.