title: Effects of alpha-lipoic Acid on body weight in obese subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  alpha-lipoic acid is an essential cofactor for mitochondrial respiratory enzymes that improves mitochondrial function. We previously reported that alpha-lipoic acid markedly reduced body weight gain in rodents. The purpose of this study was to determine whether alpha-lipoic acid reduces body weight in obese human subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 20-week trial, 360 obese individuals (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m(2) or BMI 27-30 kg/m(2) plus hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or hypercholesterolemia) were randomized to alpha-lipoic acid 1200 or 1800 mg/d or placebo. The primary end point was body weight change from baseline to end point.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the 1800 mg alpha-lipoic acid group lost significantly more weight than the placebo group (2.1%; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-2.8; P<.05). Urticaria and itching sensation were the most common adverse events in the alpha-lipoic acid groups, but these were generally mild and transient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  alpha-lipoic acid 1800 mg/d led to a modest weight loss in obese subjects. Alpha-lipoic acid may be considered as adjunctive therapy for obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Hee
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Woo Je
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sang Ah
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eun Hee
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Eun Hee
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Eunheui
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Dong Woo
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Min-Seon
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Joong-Yeol
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Keun-Gyu
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyo-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: In-Kyu
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Soo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Hak Chul
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Ki Hoon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ki-Up
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D008063:Thioctic Acid