title: Improved efficacy of appetite suppression by lipoic acid particles prepared by nanocomminution.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article was intended to improve the efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) for appetite suppression by controlling the particle size and self-polymerization of ALA.
  
  
  METHODS
  ALA was fabricated into micro- and nanoparticles, and the efficacy and in vitro release were investigated. Because of the self-polymerization of ALA into poly[3-(n-butane carboxylic acid)propyl]disulfide (PBCPD) by processing heat, low-speed rotation comminution was used to control PBCPD content.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ALA particle size initially decreased and then increased after 10 hours of nanocomminution, indicating aggregation related to PBCPD formation. The in vitro release of ALA was significantly reduced by the existence of PBCPD. Interestingly, the reduction was not followed by a decrease in efficacy. Alternatively, the food intake was significantly reduced by ALA particles containing more than 30 mol% PBCPD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When the particle size and self-polymerization of ALA were carefully controlled, the efficacy on appetite suppression could be superior to water-soluble ALA salt. The ALA particles might have a composite nanostructure of ALA and PBCPD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Chul Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hye Ri
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Youn
authors.forename: Jonghwi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ki-Up
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Joong-Yeol
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Eun-Hee
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Hyoun-Sik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012995:Solubility; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001067:Appetite Depressants; D011108:Polymers; D008063:Thioctic Acid