The effects of lipoic acid and α-tocopherol supplementation on the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Antioxidants probably play an important role in the etiology of type 2 diabetes (DM2). This study evaluated the effects of supplementation with lipoic acid (LA) and α-tocopherol on the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity of DM2 patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 102 DM2 patients divided into four groups to receive daily supplementation for 4 months with: 600 mg LA (n = 26); 800 mg α-tocopherol (n = 25); 800 mg α-tocopherol + 600 mg LA (n = 25); placebo (n = 26). Plasma α-tocopherol, lipid profile, glucose, insulin, and the HOMA index were determined before and after supplementation. Differences within and between groups were compared by ANOVA using Bonferroni correction. Student's t-test was used to compare means of two independent variables. The vitamin E/total cholesterol ratio improved significantly in patients supplemented with vitamin E+LA and vitamin E alone (p ≤ 0.001). There were improvements of the lipid fractions in the groups receiving LA and vitamin E alone or in combination, and on the HOMA index in the LA group, but not significant. The results suggest that LA and vitamin E supplementation alone or in combination did not affect the lipid profile or insulin sensitivity of DM2 patients.

Lipoic acid inhibits cell proliferation of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo

“…8 Moreover, beneficial effects of α-lipoic acid on atherosclerosis and diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been described. [9][10][11][12] The pharmacological impact of the LPA/DHLPA redox couple is due to its metal-chelating properties and the already mentioned scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS). 13 Additionally LPA can inhibit pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, thus increasing the activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.…”

Effect of (R)-α-Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Serum Lipids and Antioxidative Ability in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

“…In addition, it is also able to chelate a number of transition metal ions [5,6,7]. Due largely to its antioxidant properties, LA has recently been reported to afford protection against oxidative injury in various disease processes, including neurodegenerative disorders and diabetic syndrome [8,9,10]. LA is considered to be safe and unequivocally efficacious for improvement of insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [10].…”

Effects of adding tocotrienol-tocopherol mixed fraction and vitamin C on inflammatory status in hypercholesterolaemic patients in the low coronary risk category

“…The effect of tocopherol on plasma lipids has been positively established (de Oliveira et al, 2011). However, its utilization in a mixture with tocotrienol has yielded conflicting results (Fu et al, 2014).…”