title: Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on blood glucose, insulin resistance and glutathione peroxidase of type 2 diabetic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) treatment over a period of 2 months on fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin resistance (IR), and glutathione peroxidase (GH-Px) activity in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study took place in Motahari Clinic, Shiraz, Iran, which is affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from May to October 2006. Type 2 DM patients (n=57) were divided into 2 groups to receive either ALA (300 mg daily) or placebo by systematic randomization, and were followed-up for 8 weeks. After an overnight fasting and 2 hours after breakfast, patients' blood samples were drawn and tested for FBG, 2 hours PPG, serum insulin level, and GH-Px activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The result of the study showed a significant decrease in FBG and PPG levels, IR-Homeostasis Model Assessment (IR-HOMA index) and GH-Px level in the ALA group. The comparison of differences between FBG and IR at the beginning and at the end of study in the ALA treated group and the placebo group were also significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the use of ALA as an antioxidant in the care of diabetic patients.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Department, School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Hasti
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ansar
authors.forename: Zohreh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mazloom
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kazemi
authors.forename: Najmeh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hejazi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D010919:Placebos; D008063:Thioctic Acid; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase