Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Inflammatory Biomarkers and Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.
OBJECTIVE
Although many studies have considered alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) as a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory functions in oxidative stress-associated inflammatory diseases, few studies have evaluated its efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, we aimed to examine the effects of ALA on serum biomarkers of joint damage and inflammation in women with RA.


METHODS
We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which RA patients (n = 70) aged 20-50 years were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive either ALA (1200 mg/day) or placebo for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken before and after the study to analyze inflammatory biomarkers including serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) as a marker of joint erosion. Moreover, 3-day dietary records, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the Spielberger State-Trait anxiety inventory form Y (STAI-Y) were assessed before and after the intervention.


RESULTS
Sixty-five RA patients completed the trial. No statistically significant differences were observed in serum levels of hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and MMP-3 within and between the ALA and placebo groups (p > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in dietary intakes, physical activity, and anxiety levels between groups at baseline and they remained statistically unchanged during the study period (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Although in theory ALA supplementation could serve as a beneficial nutraceutical in RA patients, in the present study serum inflammatory biomarkers and MMP-3 were not significantly affected by 8 weeks of ALA supplementation.
a Tabriz University of Medical Science , Tabriz , ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN.
Elham
E
Mirtaheri
Bahram Pourghassem
BP
Gargari
Sousan
S
Kolahi
Parvin
P
Dehghan
Mohammad
M
Asghari-Jafarabadi
Mehrzad
M
Hajalilou
Zahra
Z
Shakiba Novin
Mehran
M
Mesgari Abbasi
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D008063:Thioctic Acid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C511768:MMP3 protein, human; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3
alpha-lipoic acid; bioactive compounds; chronic disease; clinical trials; nutriceuticals; supplement