Antioxidant properties of an endogenous thiol: Alpha-lipoic acid, useful in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases

In the past few years, a growing interest has been given to the possible antioxidant functions of a natural acid, synthesized in human tissues: alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). Both the oxidized (disulfide) and reduced (dithiol: dihydrolipoic acid, DHLA) forms of ALA show antioxidant properties. ALA adminis...

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Published in:Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology Vol. 54; no. 5; p. 391
Main Authors: Ghibu, Stéliana, Richard, Carole, Vergely, Catherine, Zeller, Marianne, Cottin, Yves, Rochette, Luc
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01.11.2009
Subjects:
Animals
Antioxidants - administration & dosage
Antioxidants - metabolism
Antioxidants - pharmacokinetics
Antioxidants - therapeutic use
Cardiovascular Diseases - metabolism
Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control
Diabetic Neuropathies - metabolism
Diabetic Neuropathies - prevention & control
Dietary Supplements
Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects
Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism
Humans
Lysine - administration & dosage
Lysine - analogs & derivatives
Mitochondria - drug effects
Mitochondria - metabolism
Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins - metabolism
Molecular Structure
Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism
Thioctic Acid - administration & dosage
Thioctic Acid - analogs & derivatives
Thioctic Acid - biosynthesis
Thioctic Acid - pharmacokinetics
Thioctic Acid - therapeutic use
ISSN:1533-4023, 1533-4023
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Summary:In the past few years, a growing interest has been given to the possible antioxidant functions of a natural acid, synthesized in human tissues: alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). Both the oxidized (disulfide) and reduced (dithiol: dihydrolipoic acid, DHLA) forms of ALA show antioxidant properties. ALA administered in the diet accumulates in tissues, and a substantial part is converted to DHLA via a lipoamide dehydrogenase. Commercial ALA is usually a racemic mixture of the R and S forms. Chemical studies have indicated that ALA scavenges hydroxyl radicals, hypochlorous acid, and singlet oxygen. ALA exerts antioxidant effects in biological systems not only through direct ROS quenching but also via transition metal chelation. ALA has been shown to possess a number of beneficial effects both in the prevention and treatment of diabetes in experimental conditions. ALA presents beneficial effects in the management of symptomatic diabetic neuropathy and has been used in this context in Germany for more than 30 years. In cardiovascular disease, dietary supplementation with ALA has been successfully employed in a variety of in vivo models: ischemia-reperfusion, heart failure, and hypertension. More mechanistic and human in vivo studies are needed to determine whether optimizing the dietary intake of ALA can help to decrease cardiovascular diseases. A more complete understanding of cellular biochemical events that influence oxidative damage is required to guide future therapeutic advances.
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ISSN:1533-4023
1533-4023
DOI:10.1097/fjc.0b013e3181be7554