Alpha-lipoic Acid Supplementation Research Articles

In vitro Alpha Lipoic Acid supplementation in freeze-dried human sperm: the impact on DNA fragmentation index

Freeze-drying technique is an alternative method on sperm preservation. However, this process can results in DNA damage. Adding antioxidants before freezing can reduce the detrimental effects of ROS on spermatozoa. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is one of the potent antioxidant that can be used to protect the sperm DNA. This study was aimed to determine the effect of ALA supplementation before freeze-drying on the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) of human spermatozoa. Nine semen samples were collected and evaluated for DFI (O1) then divided into 3 groups; freeze-drying without ALA (O2), freeze-drying with ALA 1,25 mg (O3) and freeze-drying with ALA 2,5 mg (O4).All three groups were stored at 4oC for 1 week. Sperm DFI were evaluated before and after freeze-drying. The result of this study showed a significant increase in sperm DFI in all three groups after freeze-drying (p<0,05) when compared to DFI before freeze-drying (14,67 ±3,295). However there was no significant difference between O2 (26,90 ±9,180) and O4 (29,29 ±5,524) group where the supplementation of 2,5 mg ALA did not have significant effect on protecting the DNA of freeze-dried human spermatozoa. The highest DFI was in the O3 group (44,64 ±11,717). Therefore, ALA supplementation before freeze-drying does not have a significant effect on protecting the DNA of freeze-dried human spermatozoa.

The Role of Alpha-lipoic Acid Supplementation in the Prevention of Diabetes Complications: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Trials.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a substantial antioxidant in the prevention of diabetes and diabetes complications. It can regenerate other antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C, Coenzyme Q10 and glutathione and is often known as a universal antioxidant. Antioxidants play a role in diabetes treatment due to hyperglycemia-induced stimulation of the polyol pathway and formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Clinical trials examining alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiomyopathy and erectile dysfunction display positive results, particularly in pain amelioration in neuropathy, asymmetric dimethylarginine reductions in nephropathy and improved oscillatory potential and contrast sensitivity in retinopathy. In diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), ALA offers protection through inhibition of NF-kB activation, reduction of fas-ligand and decrease in matrix metalloproteinase-2. This comprehensive review summarises and provides an understanding of the importance of alpha- lipoic acid supplementation to prevent diabetes complications.

Investigation of the Potential Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid on Human Degenerated Intervertebral Disc Tissue Primary Cell Cultures.

To investigate the supplementation of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) at the molecular level to determine its effect on primary cell cultures prepared from human intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue in an in vitro environment. Human primary cell cultures were prepared from IVD tissue resected during surgery. While cell cultures without ALA supplementation formed the control group, those with ALA supplementation formed the study group. All cell groups were stained using acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI), and the incidence of apoptotic cell death was determined under a fluorescent microscope. Cell surface morphology and extracellular matrix (ECM) structures were evaluated under an invert light microscope. Simultaneously, cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT?ELISA analysis, and the expressions of chondroadherin (CHAD), cartilage oligomeric protein (COMP), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1?), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 and-19, which are genes associated with ECM regulation, were tested using qRT?PCR. The data obtained were evaluated statistically using Tukey?s honestly significant difference (HSD) test after analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed. The alpha significance value was accepted as < .05. Compared to the cells in the control group, it was observed that both proliferation was suppressed and ECM structures deteriorated in the cells in the study group. Also, it was reported that the all-gene expression levels changed. ALA supplementation can negatively affect human IVD primary cell cultures in an in vitro environment.

Effects of probiotic and alpha-lipoic acid supplements, separately or in combination on the anthropometric indicators and maintenance of weight in overweight individuals.

Weight loss after proper diet is one of the main topics in nutrition. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of probiotic and alpha-Lipoic acid (ALA) supplements on the anthropometric indicators and maintenance of weight in overweight individuals. This study consisted of two phases of weight loss (8 weeks) and weight maintenance (16 weeks). Eighty-eight overweight participants were randomly divided into 4 groups in phase 1: isocaloric diet with probiotic (500mg), an isocaloric diet with ALA (600mg) and probiotic, an isocaloric diet with ALA and isocaloric diet with placebo. In phase 2, participants received a normal diet with the mentioned supplements. In the beginning, end of the phase 1, and at the end of phase 2, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body fat percentage, and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Also, 10cc blood samples were taken from subjects to measure C-reactive protein (CRP). Data was analyzed using SPSS software. At the end of the two phases, the differences of changes in the probiotic+ALA group was significant in weight, WC, and CRP factors when compared to the other groups (P<0.05). Also, at the end of the study, maintain a reduced weight was significantly higher in the probiotic+ALA group than in the other groups (P<0.05). According to findings, probiotics and ALA supplementation with normal diet help to maintain decreased weight after adhering to a weight loss diet. This may be due to the reduction of inflammation. (IRCT20141025019669N10).

Effect of vitamin E and alpha lipoic acid on intestinal development associated with wooden breast myopathy in broilers

Intestinal development is closely associated with inflammatory wooden breast (WB) myopathy. Vitamin E (VE) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA) with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were used independently and in combination to evaluate their effects on intestinal developmental changes in ileal morphology and expression of genes related with gut nutrient transport, structure, and inflammation in broilers during the first 3 wk posthatch. A total of 160 newly hatched Ross 708 broiler chicks were randomly assigned into a control and 3 dietary treatments with 10 replicates of 4 birds each. Supplementation of VE (160 mg/kg) and ALA (500 mg/kg) independently and in combination were fed during the first 3 wk. At 1, 2, and 3 wk of age, one chick from each pen was harvested. Plasma VE concentration and ileal morphology were determined. Gene expression was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Broilers in VE and combination of ALA and VE group had higher plasma VE concentration than the control and ALA group at 1, 2, and 3 wk of age (P < 0.01). All dietary treatments increased ileal villus height at 1 wk of age (P < 0.01) and decreased intraepithelial lymphocytes at 3 wk of age compared to the control (P ≤ 0.05). Combination of VE and ALA increased collagen type IV alpha 1 chain expression (P ≤ 0.05) and improved basement membrane structure indicating increased gut basement membrane integrity at 2 and 3 wk of age compared to the control. Expression of lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha factor associated with inflammation was decreased in all dietary treatments at 3 wk of age compared to the control (P < 0.01). Ileal morphology and gene expression were closely correlated with breast muscle morphology and gene expression. These results suggest that VE and ALA especially when they were combined in the diet had positive effects on mitigating intestinal inflammation and improving nutrient transport beginning at 1 wk of age, which is likely critical in reducing the severity of WB.

Effect of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on the lipid profile and lipid ratios in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A clinical trial study.

Background Evidence suggests that Oxidative stress has been shown to plays an important role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) etiology. On the other hand, women with GDM are at an increased risk for complications such as endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases.ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on the maternal circulating values of lipid profile and lipid ratios in women with GDM.Materials and MethodsSixty women with GDM were participated in the present study. The ALA group (n = 30) received ALA (100 mg/day) and the placebo group (n = 30) received cellulose acetate (100 mg/day) for eight wk. The maternal circulating values of hemoglobin A1C, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), non-HDL-C, and lipid ratios were assessed before and after the intervention. P-value 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultsThe values of TyG index (p 0.001), TG (p = 0.006), TG/HDL-C (p = 0.003), and AIP (p = 0.005) decreased significantly in the ALA group after the intervention.Conclusion Maternal circulating values of TyG index, TG, TG/HDL, AIP decreased after eight wk of ALA supplementation in women with GDM.

Efficacy of Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation In Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

A B S T R A C TBackground. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a side effect ofseveral chemotherapy drugs and a significant cause of chronic pain in cancerpatients, which affects patients' long-term quality of life. The neurotoxicchemotherapy agents most reported to cause neuropathic pains are platinum andtaxane. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of alpha-lipoic acidsupplementation in chemotherapy patients. Methods. This study used arandomized, double-blind clinical trial in the oncology haematology clinic in theDepartment of Internal Medicine at Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembangfrom November 2018 to July 2019. Samples were taken from patients who met theinclusion criteria and signed informed consent forms to join the study. This studyused SPSS version 22.0 for Windows to analyze the data.Results. This researchstudied 30 subjects who were divided into alpha lipoic acid groups and placebogroups with 15 samples each. The alpha-lipoic acid group showed a significantdecline in the Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS) after treatment (p = 0.000)compared to the placebo group (p = 0.164). Conclusions. Treatment with a 600 mgsingle dose each day of alpha-lipoic acid for 12 weeks effectively improved patientscondition significantly.

Alpha-lipoic acid ameliorates cytarabine-induced developmental anomalies in rat fetus.

Cytarabine (Ara-C) is a nucleoside analogue used in the treatment of cancers and viral infections. It has teratogenic potential and causes a variety of birth defects in fetuses. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural antioxidant offers protection against the developmental toxicity induced by drug- or toxicant-exposure or pathological conditions. This study was aimed at evaluating the protective effect of ALA against Ara-C induced developmental toxicity in rat fetus. Pregnant rats divided into five groups and received normal saline, ALA200 mg/kg, Ara-C12.5 mg/kg, Ara-C25 mg/kg and, Ara-C25 mg/kg plus ALA200 mg/kg respectively from gestational day (GD) 8 to GD14 and sacrificed on GD21. Ara-C treatment led to a significant and dose-dependent decrease in food intake, weight gain, placental weight, and an increase in oxidative stress in pregnant rats. Further, the in-utero exposure to Ara-C led to an increase in fetal mortality, resorptions, oxidative stress, external morphological anomalies and limb abnormalities, and impaired ossification. Co-administration of ALA resulted in amelioration of the footprints of Ara-C induced toxicity in pregnant rats as well as the fetus. These findings indicate that the ALA supplementation offers protection against developmental toxicity caused by Ara-C prenatal exposure in rats.

Effects of dietary alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on the seminal parameters and fertility potential in aging broiler breeder roosters

High levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in avian sperm cause more susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Aging in roosters reduces the antioxidant capacity of sperm and thus fertility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) as a feed supplement to improve the semen quality and fertility parameters of aged broiler breeder roosters and identification of its most effective level. A total of forty-two roosters at 45 wk of age were randomly assigned to 7 treatments (0, 15, 40, 70, 95, 120, and 145 mg ALA/bird per day) for 8 wk. Semen parameters and body weight were assessed biweekly, and testosterone plasma levels were determined in the 8th wk of the experimental period. Artificial insemination was performed at the end of the experiment to evaluate the fertility potential. The dietary administration of ALA had no significant effects on body weight, semen volume, average path velocity, linearity, straightness, wobble, the amplitude of lateral head displacement, beat-cross frequency, sperm concentration, morphology, plasma testosterone level, fertility, or hatchability (P > 0.05). Alpha-lipoic acid supplementations resulted in a significant decrease in seminal malondialdehyde concentration and immotile (type D) sperms (P < 0.05). The total motility, progressive motility (types A + type B sperms), curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, viability, and membrane integrity of sperm improved with ALA dietary supplementations (P < 0.05). With increasing ALA levels, improvement in semen parameters had an incremental trend until the level of 95 mg ALA. Thus, 95 mg dietary ALA as an antioxidant supplement can improve semen quality of aging breeder roosters while higher doses resulted in no further improvement.

The effect of Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on endothelial function: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

There is evidence that alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation plays an important role in preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, its effect, specifically, on endothelial function (EF) is unclear. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of ALA supplementation on EF. Databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science were searched to identify eligible publications from inception up to April 2020. Randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of ALA supplementation on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) levels in adults were included. The pooled results were obtained using the random-effects model and are expressed as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Five studies including six effect sizes and 300 participants were included. ALA supplementation significantly increased FMD levels by 2.36% (95% CI: 1.21-3.51; p < .001), compared with the control. Subgroup analyses suggested that the effects of ALA on FMD could be changed by age and health status of the participants. Dose-response analysis also showed that ALA dosage had a significant non-linear effect on FMD levels. The results showed that ALA supplementation appears to improve the EF. However, the role of ALA supplementation in improving other biomarkers of EF requires further research.

Safety Evaluation of α-Lipoic Acid Supplementation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Studies

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural short-chain fatty acid that has attracted great attention in recent years as an antioxidant molecule. However, some concerns have been recently raised regarding its safety profile. To address the issue, we aimed to assess ALA safety profile through a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of the available randomized placebo-controlled clinical studies. The literature search included EMBASE, PubMed Medline, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and ISI Web of Science by Clarivate databases up to 15th August 2020. Data were pooled from 71 clinical studies, comprising 155 treatment arms, which included 4749 subjects with 2558 subjects treated with ALA and 2294 assigned to placebo. A meta-analysis of extracted data suggested that supplementation with ALA was not associated with an increased risk of any treatment-emergent adverse event (all p > 0.05). ALA supplementation was safe, even in subsets of studies categorized according to smoking habit, cardiovascular disease, presence of diabetes, pregnancy status, neurological disorders, rheumatic affections, severe renal impairment, and status of children/adolescents at baseline.

Dietary alpha-lipoic acid supplementation improves spermatogenesis and semen quality via antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects in aged breeder roosters

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on the reproductive performance of aged breeder roosters. Sixteen 50-wk-old ROSS 308 breeder roosters were randomly allocated to two groups: roosters received a basal diet (CON), or a basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg of ALA (ALA). The results indicated that dietary ALA supplementation significantly increased sperm concentration, motility, viability, and membrane functional integrity. ALA also dramatically increased seminiferous tubule epithelial height (SEH) and testis scores. The ALA group had a higher serum concentration of testosterone than the CON group. ALA supplementation remarkably increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), the enzyme activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) in the testes; following a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In addition, we noted significant upregulation of Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression of and mRNA expression of its Downstream Genes (GPx1, NQO1, and GCLC), as well as significant downregulation of Keap1 mRNA expression in testicular tissue of aged roosters with ALA supplementation. The protein expression of Caspase 3 was downregulated and the protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was upregulated by ALA supplementation. The mRNA expression of spermatogenesis-related genes (ER1, AKT1, and Cav1) were markedly augmented in the ALA group compared with the CON group. In conclusion, dietary ALA supplementation enhanced the testicular antioxidant capacity through the Nrf2-signaling pathway, exerted anti-apoptotic effects, and improved the reproductive performance of aged roosters.

Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation Prevents the Age-Related Decrease in Nuclear Reduced Glutathione Levels in Kidneys from Old Female Lewis Rats

Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation Prevents the Age-Related Decrease in Nuclear Reduced Glutathione Levels in Kidneys from Old Female Lewis Rats

Effects of probiotic and alpha-lipoic acid supplements, separately or in combination on appetite in overweight individuals: A double blind randomized clinical trial

Effects of probiotic and alpha-lipoic acid supplements, separately or in combination on appetite in overweight individuals: A double blind randomized clinical trial

The Protective Role of Prenatal Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation against Pancreatic Oxidative Damage in Offspring of Valproic Acid-Treated Rats: Histological and Molecular Study.

Background: Sodium valproate (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug (AED) licensed for epilepsy and used during pregnancy in various indications. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural compound inducing endogenous antioxidant production. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of prenatal administration of VPA on the pancreas of rat offspring and assess the potential protective role of ALA co-administration during pregnancy. Methods: Twenty-eight pregnant female albino rats were divided into four groups: group I (negative control), group II (positive control, ALA treated), group III (VPA-treated), and group IV (VPA-ALA-treated). The pancreases of the rat offspring were removed at the fourth week postpartum and prepared for histological, immune-histochemical, morphometric, molecular, and oxidative stress marker studies. Results: In group III, there were pyknotic nuclei, vacuolated cytoplasm with ballooning of acinar, α, and β cells of the pancreas. Ultrastructural degeneration of cytoplasmic organelles was detected. Additionally, there was a significant increase in oxidative stress, a decrease in insulin-positive cell percentage, and an increase in glucagon positive cells in comparison to control groups. Moreover, VPA increased the gene expression of an apoptotic marker, caspase-3, with a decrease in anti-apoptotic Bcl2 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) transcriptional factor. Conversely, ALA improved oxidative stress and apoptosis in group VI, and a consequent improvement of the histological and ultrastructure picture was detected. Conclusion: ALA co-administration with VPA significantly improved the oxidative stress condition, histological and morphometric picture of the pancreas, and restored normal expression of related genes, including Nrf2, caspase-3, and Bcl-2. Administration of α-lipoic acid has a protective effect against VPA-induced pancreatic oxidative damage via its cytoprotective antioxidant effect.

Effect of alpha-lipoic acid during preimplantation development of cattle embryos when there were different in vitro culture conditions

In many species, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is essential for embryo development. There, therefore, was investigation of effects of ALA supplementation to culture media for in vitro development of cattle embryos. In Experiment I, there were assessments of embryo production and oxidative status of cattle embryos derived by in vitro maturation and fertilization (IVM/IVF)that were cultured until the blastocyst stage of development using different ALA concentrations (5, 25 and 100 μM), fetal bovine serum (FBS) and amino acids (aa) as well as 20 % oxygen (O2) in the culture atmosphere. In Experiment II, embryos were cultured without FBS, at different ALA concentrations (2.5, 5 and 7.5 μM) and in the presence or absence of aa when there was a 7 % O2 atmosphere. Embryo development rates and blastocyst quality were evaluated. With 20 % O2 concentration, treatment with 100 μM ALA resulted in lesser hatching rates and development to the blastocyst stage (P < 0.01), while with supplementation with 5 μM ALA there were lesser (P = 0.04) glutathione concentrations and greater protein contents of embryos (P < 0.01). Culturing in the 7 % O2 atmosphere, combined with supplementation with 2.5 μM ALA with FBS and aa resulted in a greater blastocyst cell number (P = 0.03) and lesser hatching rates (P = 0.04). Taken together, results indicate supplementation with the greater ALA concentrations resulted in impairment of embryo development, regardless of the O2 concentration imposed during the culture period, while the relatively lesser supplementation-concentrations with ALA led to improvements in embryo quality.

Effects of inositol and alpha lipoic acid combination for polycystic ovary syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background:Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), an intricate and multifactorial disease, has characteristics of diverse clinical, metabolic and endocrine disorder. It represents a primary cause of infertility in reproductive women, which seriously affects the physical and mental health of patients. Several small studies have indicated that inositol and alpha lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation can ameliorate the outcomes in terms of menstrual cyclicity, ovulation and hyperinsulinemia in PCOS women. However, there is a lack of sufficient evidence to affirm this practice. Consequently, we aim to objectively review and estimate the efficacy and safety of inositol plus ALA in adult women suffering from PCOS.Methods and analysis:We will retrieve PubMed, EMBASE, The Web of Science, The Cochrane Library of Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials.gov, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database), Wan-Fang database with no specific limitations on language. Simultaneously we will manually retrieve reference lists and grey literature to acquire potential eligibility. We will restrict our search to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of inositol in combination with ALA for PCOS. Researchers will separately identify studies, extract data and evaluate the quality of studies. We will conduct risk of bias estimates, data synthesis and analysis using Review Manager 5.3 software.Results and conclusion:The study will comprehensively determine the effectiveness and safety of inositol conjunct with ALA therapy for PCOS. Meanwhile we intend to disseminate the final findings in a peer-reviewed journal to help patients, clinicians and health policymakers select treatment strategy of PCOS by providing high-quality evidence.

Supplementation of freezing media with alpha lipoic acid preserves the structural and functional characteristics of sperm against cryodamage in infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermia

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation during semen cryopreservation on the sperm quality, chromatin integrity, oxidative stress, and expression level of BAX, BCL2, HSP70 and iNOS genes in semen samples obtained from infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermia. MethodsTwenty freshly ejaculated semen samples were cryopreserved with sperm freezing medium supplemented with 0.00, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mmol/mL of ALA. The samples were analyzed according to the WHO guidelines before and after freezing. Sperm ROS production level, DNA fragmentation and cryo-capacitation were assessed using flow cytometry, TUNEL assay and chlortetracycline (CTC) test, respectively. Expression level of stress protein (HSP70), pro-apoptotic Bax, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and iNOS genes was assessed by real-time PCR assay. ResultsThe effective concentrations of ALA (0.02 and 0.5 mM) significantly improved the motility, viability and morphology of the frozen-thawed sperms compared to the control group treated with 0.00 mM of ALA. During cryopreservation, treatment of semen with 0.02 mM of ALA, as the optimal concentration, significantly decreased DNA fragmentation and oxidative stress level (P < 0.05), protected the acrosome integrity, and led to insignificant reduction in BAX gene expression level and significant increase in expression level of BCL2, HSP70, and iNOS genes compared with control group. ConclusionOur findings revealed that the adding ALA to semen samples obtained from infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermia plays a significant protective role against cryodamage by preserving the sperm functional parameters.

Performance Enhancing And Pro Regenerative Effects Of Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation After Acute And Chronic Resistance And Endurance Training.

PURPOSE: Oxidative stress is an important key player in the initiation of training induced adaptations but also a risk factor with respect to over training and lack of regeneration. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) has been described to be a powerful antioxidant. Therefore it was the aim of this study to investigate the effects of acute and chronic ALA supplementation on the regeneration and performance of athletes after intensive exercise. METHODS: In this double-blinded, randomised, controlled trial in cross-over design, 17 male resistance and endurance-experienced athletes successfully participated. The subjects were divided into two groups (ALA and Placebo) and underwent a standardized acute (3sets back squats of 12 reps each and 3 sets of low jumps with 15 reps each) and chronic training protocol (6 days of intensive resistance and endurance training). Between the acute and chronic training experiments was a 4-week break. At certain time points before and after exercise (T0, T1 (+24h) and T2 (+7d)) blood samples were taken and the concentrations of muscle damage (creatine kinase, myoglobin), inflammation (interleukin 6 and 10) and oxidative stress (ox LDL) markers were investigated. In addition, the maximum performance in the back squat was measured at all timepoints. RESULTS: In the 6 day chronic training intervention a clear inhibition of muscle damage and inflammation could be observed in individuals under chronic supplementation of ALA compared to the control group. Whereas performance in the back squat was significantly reduced after 6 day of chronic training in the placebo group no significant loss of performance could be detected in the ALA group. In contrast after an acute training a single application of ALA did not result in significant differences between the placebo and ALA groups with respect to all before mentioned markers and back squat performance CONCLUSIONS: Based on these data we conclude that that ALA supplementation has only limited effects if given acute and directly after exercise but results in remarkably and significant pro-regenerative and performance enhancing effects after chronic supplementation. Mechanistically these effects seem to be mediated via a modulation of the immune response and less by antioxidative effects, which needs to be investigated in more detail in future investigations.

Influence of Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Urinary Bladder Morphology of Diabetic Rats

Influence of Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Urinary Bladder Morphology of Diabetic Rats