title: Effects of oral α-lipoic acid administration on body weight in overweight or obese subjects: a crossover randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has shown beneficial properties on diabetes and obesity. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of oral ALA on body weight in subjects with overweight or obese.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-centre, randomized, double-blind, crossover controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 166 subjects of Chinese Han ethnicity with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2were screened and 103 subjects fulfilled the study requirements, in terms of informed consent and participation to the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were randomized (1:1) to receive either ALA (1200 mg/day) or placebo treatment in a crossover design for 8 weeks. The primary end-point was the change in body weight. The secondary end-points were the changes in waist circumference, BMI, lipid profile, plasma leptin levels and the adverse events that occurred following ALA treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The changes in the body weight and waist circumference noted in the ALA group were significantly different compared to the placebo group as demonstrated by mixed model statistical analysis (both P < 0·05). No real weight reduction was seen in the ALA group, and no significant differences were noted as regards cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and adverse events between the two groups. The administration of ALA was well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral administration of ALA (1200 mg/day) for 8 weeks induced mild weight loss accompanied by a reduction in waist circumference.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, People's Hospital of Kelamay, Kelamay, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Nong
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9420-6330
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Weili
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, People's Hospital of Kelamay, Kelamay, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Xiaojuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Yongdi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, People's Hospital of Kelamay, Kelamay, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Fugang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Weiguo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Georgia Prevention Institute, Georgia Health Sciences University, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaoling
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacal, People's Hospital of Kelamay, Kelamay, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Kehong
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008063:Thioctic Acid