TY  - JOUR
AU  - El-Nabarawy, Salwa Kamal 
AU  - Mohamed, Mona Abd El-Gelel 
AU  - Ahmed, Mohamed Mahmoud 
AU  - El-Arabi, Ghada Hany 
PY  - 2010
TI  - α-Lipoic Acid Therapy Modulates Serum Levels of Some Trace Elements and Antioxidants in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
JF  - American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology
VL  - 5
IS  - 3
DO  - 10.3844/ajptsp.2010.152.158
UR  - https://thescipub.com/abstract/ajptsp.2010.152.158
AB  - Problem statement: The metabolism of several trace elements has been reported to alter in
diabetes mellitus. The disturbance of their serum levels may have a role in the pathogenesis and
progress of this disease. In addition, the reports about the status of antioxidants and antioxidant
enzymes in diabetic patients are very contradictory. Though α-Lipoic Acid (LA) has long been touted
as antioxidant, it has also been shown to improve glucose handling. Approach: The present study
aimed to investigate the effect of exogenous supplementation of LA (600mg day−1) on the serum levels
of some antioxidants (Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH) and vitamin C) and trace
elements (Zn, Se, Cu and Co) in type 2 diabetic patients. The aim of this study was also extended to
study the association of these parameters with the glycemic status. The studied participants were
categorized into 3 groups (15 each): Control group: Non diabetic healthy volunteers. Diabetic group:
Type 2 diabetic patients. Lipoic acid treated group: Type 2 diabetic patients received α-lipoic acid for
2 months in a daily oral dose of 600 mg. All participants were subjected to full history taking and
complete clinical examination during the experimental period. Fasting serum samples were taken for
determination of glucose, insulin, lipid profile and antioxidants as well as some trace elements.
Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) was also calculated as a marker of insulin resistance.
Results: The results revealed that LA improved insulin resistance present in diabetic patients. The
effects of oral treatment with LA were pronounced by improvement of serum levels of antioxidants
(SOD and GSH, p<0.001, while vitamin C, p<0.02), Zn and Se (amounted 24.17 and 23.24%,
respectively), compared to diabetic group. Oral treatment with LA produced strong positive
correlations between serum levels of fasting glucose and both SOD and Se (r = 0.8). In addition, LA
converted the negative correlation between SOD and HOMA index in diabetic patients into strong
positive correlation. Conclusion: This study suggests that oral administration of LA (600mg day−1) for
2 months to type 2 diabetic patients alleviated the insulin resistance, oxidative stress and lipid profile
abnormalities. In addition, LA returned the serum levels of Zn and Se to the normal values.