IDF21-0546 Impact of alpha lipoic acid supplementation in metabolic parameters of patients with prediabetes

Abstract

Background: Prediabetes, defined as IFG and/or IGT and/or HbA1c levels within 5.7–6.4% (39–47 mmol/mol), usually precedes the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in adults and the in latest years its prevalence has been rising in numbers compared to the previous years, due to various factors. The importance of prediabetes diagnosis lies in the fact that if untreated it shows an increased rate of new onset diabetes mellitus type 2 and may also lead to the development of diabetes’ complications. Prediabetes, according to ADA, can and should be prevented through a series of diagnostic tests that have proven to be cost-effective and the use of the ADA Risk Test, and if developed there have been various treatment methods proposed, such as lifestyle modifications, use of metformin and certain dietary supplements that may take part in reducing insulin resistance, including chromium, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), etc. Aim: Main aim of this study is to define whether alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation in adults with glucose metabolism abnormalities, defined as “prediabetes”, has an impact on their metabolic factors. The study was sponsored by “Medical Pharmaquality” Company. Method: This study included people aged 18–65, presenting at least one of ADA’s criteria for prediabetes diagnosis, leading a sedentary lifestyle, presenting with a BMI > 25 kg/m2 and showing no symptoms of depressive disorders. All subjects received a 600 mg ALA supplement daily for 90 days and they were tested for total blood count, Hba1C, fasting blood sugar and insulin levels, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, fasting c-peptide, HOMA-IR, Matsuda index, AUC for glucose and insulin curves, body weight, BMI, fat percentage and visceral fat rating, before and after the intervention. Results: ALA supplementation seems to have a strong correlation with changes in total cholesterol levels (p = 0.005), HDL (p = 0.049) and c-peptide (p = 0.013). Furthermore, a statistically significant reduction in body weight was observed (p < 0.001), as well as in BMI (p < 0.001), fat percentage (p < 0.001) and visceral fat rating (p < 0.001). The rest of the tested variables did not exhibit statistically significant changes, following ALA supplementation. Discussion: The results of this study are in complete agreement with ALA’s perceived actions on the adipose tissue, although the strong correlation between ALA supplementation and visceral fat rating reduction has not been reported before. Additionally, the observed reduction in fasting c-peptide levels is a finding that supports the assumption that ALA can lead to reduction in resting hyperinsulinemia levels in prediabetes.