Adjunctive α-lipoic acid reduces weight gain compared with placebo at 12 weeks in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study.
α-Lipoic acid (ALA) has been reported to be effective in reducing body weight in rodents and obese patients. Our previous open trial showed that ALA may play a role in reducing weight gain in patients with schizophrenia on atypical antipsychotics. The present study evaluated the efficacy of ALA in reducing weight and BMI in patients with schizophrenia who had experienced significant weight gain since taking atypical antipsychotics. In a 12-week, double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study, 22 overweight and clinically stable patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to receive ALA or placebo. ALA was administered at 600-1800 mg, as tolerated. Weight, BMI, abdomen fat area measured by computed tomography, and metabolic values were determined. Adverse effects were also assessed to examine safety. Overall, 15 patients completed 12 weeks of treatment. There was significant weight loss and decreased visceral fat levels in the ALA group compared with the placebo group. There were no instances of psychopathologic aggravation or severe ALA-associated adverse effects. ALA was effective in reducing weight and abdominal obesity in patients with schizophrenia who had experienced significant weight gain since beginning an atypical antipsychotic regimen. Moreover, ALA was well tolerated throughout this study. ALA might play an important role as an adjunctive treatment in decreasing obesity in patients who take atypical antipsychotics.
aDepartment of Psychiatry, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry bInstitute of Behavioral Science in Medicine cDepartment of Psychiatry, Severance Hospital dDepartment of Psychiatry, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine eYonsei University College of Nursing fDepartment of Education, National Center for Mental Health gDepartment of Family Medicine, Daehang Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
Nam Wook
NW
Kim
Yul-Mai
YM
Song
Eosu
E
Kim
Hyun-Sang
HS
Cho
Keun-Ah
KA
Cheon
Su Jin
SJ
Kim
Jin Young
JY
Park
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015990:Placebo Effect; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000975:Antioxidants; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008063:Thioctic Acid