title: Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Antioxidant Diet Help to Improve Endothelial Dysfunction in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Trial.
abstract: After evaluating the prevalence of early endothelial dysfunction, as measured by means of reactive hyperemia in adolescents with type 1 diabetes, we started a 6-month, double-blind, randomized trial to test the efficacy of an antioxidant diet (± alpha-lipoic acid supplementation) to improve endothelial dysfunction. Seventy-one children and adolescents, ages 17 ± 3.9 yrs, with type 1 diabetes since 9.5 ± 5.3 yrs, using intensified insulin therapy, were randomized into 3 arms: (a) antioxidant diet 10.000 ORAC + alpha-lipoic acid; (b) antioxidant diet 10.000 ORAC + placebo; (c) controls. BMI, blood pressure, fasting lipid profile, HbA1c, insulin requirement, dietary habits, and body composition were determined in each patient. An antioxidant diet significantly improved endothelial dysfunction when supplemented with alpha-lipoic acid, unlike diet with placebo or controls. A significant reduction in bolus insulin was also observed. We speculate that alpha-lipoic acid might have an antioxidant effect in pediatric diabetes patients by reducing insulin.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Diabetology, Metabolic Diseases & Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliera, University of Milano, "Ospedale Luigi Sacco", 20157 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scaramuzza
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano, "Ospedale dei Bambini Vittore Buzzi", 20154 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano, "Ospedale dei Bambini Vittore Buzzi", 20154 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Redaelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano, "Ospedale dei Bambini Vittore Buzzi", 20154 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ungheri
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano, "Ospedale dei Bambini Vittore Buzzi", 20154 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maddalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macedoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano, "Ospedale dei Bambini Vittore Buzzi", 20154 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Giudici
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Diabetology, Metabolic Diseases & Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliera, University of Milano, "Ospedale Luigi Sacco", 20157 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bosetti
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Diabetology, Metabolic Diseases & Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliera, University of Milano, "Ospedale Luigi Sacco", 20157 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano, "Ospedale dei Bambini Vittore Buzzi", 20154 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Vincenzo
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Zuccotti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D055951:Functional Food / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012306:Risk; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D008063:Thioctic Acid