Alpha Lipoic Acid Reduces Symptoms and Inflammation Biomarkers in Patients with Chronic Hemorrhoidal Illness

2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 281-290
Author(s):  
Marizela Šabanović ◽  
Midhat Jašić ◽  
Amer Odobašić ◽  
Emilija Spaseska Aleksovska ◽  
Suzana Pavljašević ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Oral dietary supplementation is becoming increasingly popular as an addition to classical approaches for the prevention and treatment of hemorrhoidal disease. Aim: To examine the effect of orally administrated alpha lipoic acid (ALA), known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in the treatment of patients with permanent symptoms of hemorrhoidal disease. Methods: Patients with second- and third-degree hemorrhoids (n = 100) were enrolled into a randomized, open label, single-center trial. The study group (n = 50) was treated with 200 mg of orally administered ALA once a day during the 12-week period, the control group (n = 50) did not receive any treatment. Results: There were no significant differences in demographics, diagnosis, or exposure to major risk factors between the study and placebo group at baseline. ALA significantly improved subjective efficacy variables, such as pain and discomfort (p < 0.01) as well as objective signs of the disease, such as bleeding (p < 0.01), in comparison to the control group. Furthermore, the 3-month treatment significantly reduced the number of patients with positive C-reactive protein (CRP) value (serum CRP > 5 mg/L) from 18% before to only 2% after the treatment (χ2 = 4.65; p < 0.01). Average leukocyte count has also been significantly reduced in the treatment group (p < 0.01) from 7.29 × 109/L before to 6.18 × 109/L after treatment. Conclusions: The obtained results indicate that ALA is effective in the treatment of second- and third-degree hemorrhoids. Larger, double-blind controlled trials are needed to confirm the results and to investigate optimal treatment regimens.

Author(s):  
Wael Elfeky ◽  
Dalia R El-Afify

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and an inflammatory process is involved in its pathogenesis. We aimed to study the possible effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) as an antioxidant on atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. Methods: The study included ninety patients who underwent cardiac surgery, either valvular or coronary artery bypass grafting using cardiopulmonary bypass, and were randomized into two groups: Control and ALA groups. Blood samples were obtained to measure preoperative and postoperative levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The patients were monitored for the occurrence of atrial fibrillation until the day of discharge. Results: POAF occurred in 33% in the control group versus 11% in the ALA group (p=0.011).  When compared to the control group, ALA significantly decreased the postoperative levels of MDA (4.78±0.91 vs. 5.36±1.03 nmol/ml; p= 0.006) CRP (19.44±3.14 vs. 26.56±6.29 mg/dl; p <0.001) and IL-6 (22.25±2.2 vs. 25.37±2.5 pg/ml; p< 0.001) while glutathione level increased significantly in patients who received ALA (26.4±4.59 vs. 23.44±5.11 mg/l; p= 0.005). Conclusion: ALA may help in the prevention of atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery through exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahnaz Rezaei Kelishadi ◽  
Amirmansour Alavi Naeini ◽  
Fariborz Khorvash ◽  
Gholamreza Askari ◽  
Zahra Heidari

AbstractThe current study was performed to evaluate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on lactate, nitric oxide (NO), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels, and clinical symptoms in women with episodic migraines. Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, ninety-two women with episodic migraines participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-design trial. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either 300 mg/day ALA or placebo, twice per day for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes included headache severity, headache frequency per month, and duration of attacks and the secondary outcomes included lactate (a marker of mitochondrial function), NO, and VCAM-1 serum levels were measured at baseline and the end of the intervention. At the end of the study, there was a significant decrease in lactate serum levels (− 6.45 ± 0.82 mg/dl vs − 2.27 ± 1.17 mg/dl; P = 0.039) and VCAM-1 (− 2.02 ± 0.30 ng/ml vs − 1.21 ± 0.36 ng/ml; P = 0.025) in the ALA as compared to the placebo group. In addition, the severity (P < 0.001), frequency (P = 0.001), headache impact test (HIT-6) (P < 0.001), headache dairy results (HDR) (P = 0.003), and migraine headache index score (MHIS) (P < 0.001) had significantly decreased in the intervention as compared to the control group. No significant changes were observed for NO levels and duration of migraine pains. ALA supplementation can be considered a potential adjunct treatment in patients with migraine due to its improving mitochondrial and endothelial functions and clinical symptoms.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph C. Ratliff ◽  
Laura B. Palmese ◽  
Erin L. Reutenauer ◽  
Cenk Tek

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Makrouhi Sonikian ◽  
Aggeliki Barbatsi ◽  
Eugenia Karakou ◽  
Theodoros Chiras ◽  
Jacob Skarakis ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) are widely used as markers of inflammation and infection in general population and in chronic hemodialysis (HD) as well. However, in dialysis (D) patients, serum CRP and PCT levels may be elevated even in the absence of inflammatory or infectious disease and diagnostic process is a challenge in such cases. We studied HD patients' laboratory profile concerning CRP and PCT. Subjects and Methods We studied 25 stable HD patients, M/F=22/3, aged 68(44-89) years, dialyzed thrice weekly for 55(6-274) months with a dialysate flow rate of 700 ml/min, with a residual daily diuresis less than 200 ml, Kt/V values of 1,44±0,3 and no signs of infection. Patients were classified in two groups. Group A included 10 patients on pre-dilution online hemodiafiltration (HDF). Group B consisted of 15 patients on conventional HD with low-flux polysulfone membrane. Twenty healthy subjects formed a control group C. Serum CRP and PCT levels were measured in duplicate in A and B groups before and at the end of mid-week dialysis sessions and also in C group. Results Pre-D serum CRP values in the total of patients were higher than those in healthy controls (10,89±19,29 vs 2,54±1,28 mg/L-p=0,004). Compared with group C, pre-D CRP values were higher only in B group (15,98±24,54 mg/L-p=0,001) but not in A group (4,09±3,33 mg/L-p=NS). There was a significant difference in pre-D serum CRP values between A and B groups (p=0,028). At the end of D session serum CRP values showed a tendency to increase in both groups A (5,16±4,81 mg/L) and B (17,00±27,00 mg/L) but differences were not significant. Pre-D serum PCT values in the total of patients were higher than those in healthy controls (0,82±0,9 vs 0,29±0,55 ng/ml-p&lt;0,001). Compared with group C, pre-D PCT values were higher in both A group (0,52±0,15 ng/ml-p&lt;0,001) and B group (1,01±1,13 ng/ml-p=0,006). There was no significant difference in pre-D serum PCT values between A and B groups (p=0,261). At the end of D session serum PCT values decreased in A group (0,32±0,11 ng/ml-p&lt;0,001) and increased in B group (1,12±1,21 ng/ml-p=0,014). Conclusions In patients on both conventional low-flux HD and online HDF pre-D serum CRP and PCT levels were higher than those in healthy subjects. Dialysis modality and membrane flux did not affect post-D serum CRP values, but post-PCT values decreased in online HDF. PCT usefulness might be limited in dialysis with high-flux membranes. Cut-off values have to be established for both markers to eliminate confusion in diagnosis of inflammatory and infectious diseases in hemodialyzed patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 246
Author(s):  
Gede Wira Buanayuda ◽  
Hamdani Lunardhi ◽  
Indra Gusti Mansur

Infertility is a problem for husband and wife, in the last 20 years the number of infertile couples has tended to increase by around 6.5 million pairs. The infertile couple can use the intrauterine insemination method to obtain offspring if a conventional method approach cannot be performed. Insemination requires a sperm preparation stage in which there are centrifugation and resuspension procedures that tend to produce excess reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive ROS will damage the motility of the spermatozoa. This study aims to prove the addition of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) as an antioxidant in the process of sperm preparation to improve and maintain better sperm motility. This research is a laboratory study with an experimental research design. The sample consisted of 10 infertile men who visited the Andrology section of the Sayyidah Jakarta Mother and Child Hospital (RSIA), where each ejaculate from the patient would be divided into 3 groups namely (k1) fresh semen as a control group, (k2) sperm preparation group without ALA, (k3) group of sperm preparation with the addition of ALA. The motility of spermatozoa was observed with the WHO 1999 method for 4 hours in units of percent. Progressive motility in k3 (47.95 ± 3.617) was higher than in k2 (38.05 ± 3.278) statistically significantly different after 3 hours of observation (p<0.0001). Progressive motility in k3 (78.8 ± 5.841) was higher than k1 (56.55 ± 7.511) from the initial observation (p <0.0001). The progressive motility of k2 (76.05 ± 6.768) was higher than k1 (56.55 ± 7.511) from the start of the observation (0.0001). It can be concluded that the addition of ALA in the sperm preparation process increases and maintains progressive motility that is better than sperm preparation without ALA addition after 3 hours of observation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Jamor ◽  
Hassan Ahmadvand ◽  
Hesam Ashoory ◽  
Esmaeel Babaeenezhad

Background: Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is involved in the initiation, progression, and complications of atherosclerosis in diabetic patients. Objectives: In the current study, the impact of alpha-lipoic acid (LA), a natural antioxidant and a cofactor in the enzyme complexes on MPO, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level, histopathology of kidney and expression of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), GPx and CAT which are involved in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS), was evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 male Rattus norvegicus rats randomly divided into three groups; control (C), non-treated diabetic (NTD), and LA-treated diabetics (LATD) was induced by alloxan monohydrate (100mg/kg; subcutaneous [SC]). Then treatment was performed with alphaLA (100 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p) daily to 6 weeks). Blood sample of animals collected to measure levels of MPO, CAT and GPx activity GSH and MDA. Kidney paraffin sections were prepared to estimate histological studies and to measure quantitative gene expression SOD, GPX and CAT in kidney. Results: Induction of diabetes led to a significant increase in MPO and MDA, reduced GSH level and GPx and CAT activities (P < 0.05). However, treatment with alpha-LA led to a significant elevation in GPx, CAT and GSH levels with a reduction in MPO activities and MDA levels (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis results showed increased expressions of GPx, CAT and SOD enzyme in the treatment group compared with the diabetic control group. Histopathological lesions such as increased glomerular volume and lymphocyte infiltration were attenuated in the alpha-LA treated group. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that alpha-LA supplementation is effective in preventing complications induced by oxidative stress and atherosclerosis in diabetic rats.


2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1005-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Y Lam ◽  
Maisha Kelly Freeman ◽  
Marshall E Cates

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the literature discussing the use of modafinil in the treatment of residual symptoms of fatigue in patients with depression. DATA SOURCES: PubMed (1966–March 2007) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts(1970–March 2007) were searched using the key words modafinil and depression. A manual search of the reference section of the articles retrieved was conducted to identify articles not indexed in either of these sources. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All articles published in English were evaluated. Studies were included if modafinil was used to treat patients with residual fatigue from depression and the effects were measured with validated fatigue subscales. DATA SYNTHESIS: One retrospective study, 5 open-label trials, and 2 randomized controlled clinical trials met the inclusion criteria for assessment of residual symptoms of fatigue as assessed by commonly used fatigue subscales after modafinil administration. Although improvement with fatigue has occurred with modafinil therapy, literature regarding the topic is limited by the lack of well-controlled clinical trials. Modafinil does appear to improve residual fatigue with depression as evidenced by open-label trials; however, the efficacy of this agent has not been duplicated in randomized controlled trials. The open-label trials that have been conducted often had no comparator and a small number of patients. In addition, outcome measures used in the studies were not consistent between trials. Modafinil appears to be well tolerated, with the main adverse effects being headache and nausea. CONCLUSIONS: Open-label trials indicate that modafinil may be effective in ameliorating fatigue associated with depression; however, this effect has not been reproduced in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Therefore, the use of modafinil for the treatment of residual fatigue is not recommended due to the lack of reproducible data of its efficacy. Long-term, adequately powered clinical trials should be conducted to determine its place in therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 622-630
Author(s):  
Kate L Harris ◽  
Wei-Li Kuan ◽  
Sarah L Mason ◽  
Roger A Barker

ObjectivesAlterations in dopamine neurotransmission underlie some of the clinical features of Huntington’s disease (HD) and as such are a target for therapeutic intervention, especially for the treatment of chorea and some behavioural problems. However, justification for such an intervention is mainly based on case reports and small open label studies and the effects these drugs have on cognition in HD remain unclear.MethodsIn this study, we used the Enroll-HD observational database to assess the effects of antidopaminergic medication on motor, psychiatric and cognitive decline, over a 3-year period. We first looked at the annual rate of decline of a group of HD patients taking antidopaminergic medication (n=466) compared with an untreated matched group (n=466). The groups were matched on specified clinical variables using propensity score matching. Next, we studied a separate group of HD patients who were prescribed such medications part way through the study (n=90) and compared their rate of change before and after the drugs were introduced and compared this to a matched control group.ResultsWe found that HD patients taking antidopaminergic medication had a slower progression in chorea and irritability compared with those not taking such medications. However, this same group of patients also displayed significantly greater rate of decline in a range of cognitive tasks.ConclusionIn conclusion we found that antidopaminergic treatment is associated with improvements in the choreic movements and irritability of HD but worsens cognition. However, further research is required to prospectively investigate this and whether these are causally linked, ideally in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.


2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 1033-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Glatt ◽  
Peter C Taylor ◽  
Iain B McInnes ◽  
Georg Schett ◽  
Robert Landewé ◽  
...  

ObjectiveEvaluate the efficacy and safety of dual neutralisation of interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F with bimekizumab, a monoclonal IgG1 antibody, in addition to certolizumab pegol (CZP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inadequate response (IR) to certolizumab pegol.MethodsDuring this phase 2a, double-blind, proof-of-concept (PoC) study (NCT02430909), patients with moderate-to-severe RA received open-label CZP 400 mg at Weeks 0, 2 and 4, and 200 mg at Week 6. Patients with IR at Week 8 (Disease Activity Score 28-joint count C-reactive protein (DAS28(CRP))>3.2) were randomised 2:1 to CZP (200 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W)) plus bimekizumab (240 mg loading dose then 120 mg Q2W) or CZP plus placebo. The primary efficacy and safety variables were change in DAS28(CRP) between Weeks 8 and 20 and incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).ResultsOf 159 patients enrolled, 79 had IR at Week 8 and were randomised to CZP plus bimekizumab (n=52) or CZP plus placebo (n=27). At Week 20, there was a greater reduction in DAS28(CRP) in the CZP-IR plus bimekizumab group compared with the CZP-IR plus placebo group (99.4% posterior probability). The most frequent TEAEs were infections and infestations (CZP plus bimekizumab, 50.0% (26/52); CZP plus placebo, 22.2% (6/27)).ConclusionsPoC was confirmed based on the rapid decrease in disease activity achieved with 12 weeks of CZP plus bimekizumab. No unexpected or new safety signals were identified when neutralising IL-17A and IL-17F in patients with RA concomitantly treated with CZP, but the rate of TEAEs was higher with dual inhibition.


Zygote ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Shen ◽  
Zhong-Liang Jiang ◽  
Cong-Jun Li ◽  
Xiao-Chen Hu ◽  
Qing-Wang Li

SummaryAlpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is known to be a natural antioxidant. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cryoprotective effect of ALA on the motility of boar spermatozoa and its antioxidant effect on boar spermatozoa during freezing–thawing. Different concentrations (2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 or 10.0 mg/ml) of ALA were added to the extender used to freeze boar semen, and the effects on the quality and endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities of frozen–thawed spermatozoa were assessed. The results indicated that the addition of ALA to the extender resulted in a higher percentage of motile spermatozoa post-thaw (P < 0.05). The activities of superoxide dismutase, lactate dehydrogenase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and catalase improved after adding ALA to the extender (P < 0.05). Artificial insemination results showed that pregnancy rate and litter size were significantly higher at 6.0 mg/ml in the ALA group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, ALA conferred a cryoprotective capacity to the extender used for boar semen during the process of freezing–thawing, and the optimal concentration of ALA for the frozen extender was 6.0 mg/ml.


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