title: Physiological effect and therapeutic application of alpha lipoic acid.
abstract: Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species promote endothelial dysfunction in old age and contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension. α-Lipoic acid was identified as a catalytic agent for oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate and α-ketoglutarate in 1951, and it has been studied intensively by chemists, biologists, and clinicians who have been interested in its role in energetic metabolism and protection from reactive oxygen species-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Consequently, many biological effects of α-lipoic acid supplementation can be attributed to the potent antioxidant properties of α-lipoic acid and dihydro α-lipoic acid. The reducing environments inside the cell help to protect from oxidative damage and the reduction-oxidation status of α-lipoic acid is dependent upon the degree to which the cellular components are found in the oxidized state. Although healthy young humans can synthesize enough α-lipoic acid to scavenge reactive oxygen species and enhance endogenous antioxidants like glutathione and vitamins C and E, the level of α-lipoic acid significantly declines with age and this may lead to endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, many studies have reported α-lipoic acid can regulate the transcription of genes associated with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. In this review, we will discuss recent clinical studies that have investigated the beneficial effects of α-lipoic acid on endothelial dysfunction and propose possible mechanisms involved.
authors.forename: Sungmi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Udayakumar
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Karunakaran
authors.forename: Nam Ho
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Jeoung
authors.forename: Jae-Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, 130 Dongdukro, Jung-gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea, 700-721. leei@knu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: In-Kyu
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008063:Thioctic Acid