5-aminolevulinic acid, a precursor of heme, reduces both fasting and postprandial glucose levels in mildly hyperglycemic subjects.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid phosphate (ALA-P) and iron on the glycemic index in mildly hyperglycemic adults.

METHODS:

This double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial comprised 212 subjects (ages 35-70 y, fasting plasma glucose 105-125 mg/dL or hemoglobin (Hb)A1c 6.1%-7.1%). These participants were randomly assigned to four groups receiving either one of three doses of ALA-P and iron as sodium ferrous citrate (5 mg and 0.6 mg, 5 mg and 1.8 mg, or 15 mg and 1.8 mg, respectively) or a placebo, administered orally once a day over a 12-wk period.

RESULTS:

Fifteen mg ALA-P plus 1.8 mg iron decreased the fasting plasma glucose level (2.32 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-4.42, P = 0.029), serum glycoalbumin (0.22%, 95% CI, 0.02-0.42; P = 0.031), and 2h-oral glucose tolerance test levels (14.2 mg/dL, 95% CI, 1.8-26.6; P = 0.025) more than the placebo. However, the levels of HbA1c, fasting insulin, serum 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol, and Homeostasis Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance showed no appreciable changes. The participant numbers with impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose decreased in the highest dosage group of ALA-P plus iron compared with the placebo group.

CONCLUSION:

An oral intake of ALA would be a novel approach to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• Authors: Fumiko Higashikawa, Masafumi Noda, Tomokazu Awaya, Tohru Tanaka, Masanori Sugiyama
• Journal: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) (Nutrition) 2013 Jul-Aug Vol. 29 Issue 7-8 Pg. 1030-6 ISSN: 1873-1244 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23759263 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose
• Hypoglycemic Agents
• Insulin
• Iron, Dietary
• Heme
• Aminolevulinic Acid

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aminolevulinic Acid (administration & dosage)
• Blood Glucose (analysis)
• Double-Blind Method
• Fasting (blood)
• Female
• Glucose Tolerance Test
• Heme (metabolism)
• Humans
• Hyperglycemia (drug therapy)
• Hypoglycemic Agents (administration & dosage)
• Insulin (blood)
• Insulin Resistance
• Iron, Dietary (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postprandial Period (drug effects, physiology)