The effect of oral alpha-lipoic acid on oxidative stress in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications. Alpha-lipoic acid (LA), a potent antioxidant, has been shown to be an effective treatment for diabetic neuropathy when given intravenously. Recently, an oral controlled-release formulation of alpha-lipoic acid (CRLA) was developed, and a pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that CRLA maintained significant plasma levels for 67% longer than a common quick-release formulation.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine if CRLA is an effective antioxidant in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) by measuring its effects on markers of oxidative damage and total antioxidant status.

METHODS:

Forty pubertal and postpubertal adolescents with T1D underwent a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of CRLA for 3 months. 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, protein carbonyl, total reactive antioxidant potential, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and spot random urine collected for albumin to creatinine ratio were measured before and after treatment.

RESULTS:

There was no significant change in any measurement of oxidative damage, total antioxidant status, HbA1c, or microalbuminuria prevalence after treatment with either placebo or CRLA.

CONCLUSION:

In this pilot study, CRLA was not an effective treatment for decreasing oxidative damage in T1D, although efficacy may have been limited by issues with compliance.

• Authors: Eric A Huang, Stephen E Gitelman
• Journal: Pediatric diabetes (Pediatr Diabetes) Vol. 9 Issue 3 Pt 2 Pg. 69-73 (Jun 2008) ISSN: 1399-5448 [Electronic] Denmark
• PMID: 18221433 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Placebos
• Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
• Thioctic Acid

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adolescent
• Age of Onset
• Body Mass Index
• Body Weight
• Child
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Oxidative Stress (drug effects)
• Placebos
• Puberty
• Reference Values
• Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (metabolism)
• Thioctic Acid (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)