scholarly journals The beneficial effect of Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation as a potential adjunct treatment in episodic migraines

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahnaz Rezaei Kelishadi ◽  
Amirmansour Alavi Naeini ◽  
Fariborz Khorvash ◽  
Gholamreza Askari ◽  
Zahra Heidari
Keyword(s):  
Lipoic Acid ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Alpha Lipoic Acid ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Adjunct Treatment ◽  
Headache Severity ◽  
Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 ◽  
To Receive

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.

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipoic Acid ◽  
Hemorrhoidal Disease ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Alpha Lipoic Acid ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Serum Crp

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.

scholarly journals Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Serum Levels of Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Markers and Clinical Prognosis among Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Randomized, Double Blind, TNS Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-289
Author(s):  
Sheyda Shaafi ◽  
Soraiya Ebrahimpour-Koujan ◽  
Mohammad Khalili ◽  
Seyad Morteza Shamshirgaran ◽  
Mazyar Hashemilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Lipoic Acid ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Alpha Lipoic Acid ◽  
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Tnf Α

Purpose: Stroke is one of the most common conditions causing death. There have been few studies examining the effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on stroke patients. In this regard, the present randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to examine the effects of ALA supplementation on serum albumin, and inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in stroke patients. Methods: The present paralleled randomized controlled clinical trial involved 42 stroke patients who were over 40 years and under enteral feeding. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups and finally 40 patients completed the study. Patients in alpha lipoic acid group (n=19) took 1200 mg ALA supplement daily along with their meal, and participants in control group (n=21) underwent the routine hospital diet for 3 weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained and albumin, oxidative stress, and inflammatory indices were assessed at baseline, as well as at the end of the trial. Results: After 3 weeks, treatment of patients with ALA led to a significant decrease in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels (P=0.01) compared to baseline. But serum levels of albumin, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), IL-6 and TNF-α did not change significantly vs. control group (P>0.05). Conclusion: ALA did not significantly change the serum levels of albumin and inflammatory as well as antioxidant capacity indices in stroke patients compared with the control group. More clinical trials with large sample sizes and long duration are needed to clarify the effects of ALA on these patients.

The Effects of a Caffeine Placebo and Experimenter Expectation on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Well-Being, and Cognitive Performance

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Walach ◽  
Stefan Schmidt ◽  
Yvonne-Michelle Bihr ◽  
Susanne Wiesch
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Being There ◽  
To Receive

We studied the effect of experimenter expectations and different instructions in a balanced placebo design. 157 subjects were randomized into a 2 × 4 factorial design. Two experimenters were led to expect placebos either to produce physiological effects or not (pro- vs. antiplacebo). All subjects except a control group received a caffeine placebo. They were either made to expect coffee, no coffee, or were in a double-blind condition. Dependent measures were blood pressure, heart rate, well-being, and a cognitive task. There was one main effect on the instruction factor (p = 0.03) with the group “told no caffeine” reporting significantly better well-being. There was one main effect on the experimenter factor with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” having higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.008). There was one interaction with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” to receive coffee doing worse in the cognitive task than the rest. Subjects instructed by experimenter “antiplacebo” were significantly less likely to believe the experimental instruction, and that mostly if they had been instructed to receive coffee. Contrary to the literature we could not show an effect of instruction, but there was an effect of experimenters. It is likely, however, that these experimenter effects were not due to experimental manipulations, but to the difference in personalities.

The Effect of Immunosuppression on Selected Antioxidant Parameters in Patients with Graves’ Disease with Active Thyroid-Associated Orbitopathy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Londzin-Olesik ◽  
Beata Kos-Kudla ◽  
Jacek Karpe ◽  
Aleksandra Nowak ◽  
Mariusz Nowak
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Immunosuppressive Treatment ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Paraoxonase 1 ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Graves Disease ◽  
Methylprednisolone Treatment ◽  
Antioxidant Parameters

Abstract Background and Study Aims Thyroid-associated orbitopathy, the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves’ disease, is an autoimmune inflammation of orbital soft tissue. We report the study assessing the effect of immunosuppressive treatment with methylprednisolone on selected antioxidant parameters in patients with Graves’ disease with active thyroid-associated orbitopathy. Patients and Methods Activity and serum levels of selected antioxidant parameters as well as lipid peroxidation products were determined in a group of 56 patients with active thyroid-associated orbitopathy at three time-points: at baseline, after the discontinuation of intravenous methylprednisolone treatment and at 3 months after the discontinuation of additional oral methylprednisolone treatment. A control group consisted of 20 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers. Results We found an increased activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and increased serum levels of uric acid, malondialdehyde and conjugated dienes, as well as a reduced activity of paraoxonase-1 and reduced serum vitamin C level in the study group at baseline. Systemic intravenous and oral methylprednisolone therapy led to normalization of activity and concentration of the most studied parameters. Conclusion Results of our study confirmed that oxidative stress is one of the factors involved in the pathogenesis of thyroid-associated orbitopathy and the methyloprednisolone treatment is effective in reducing both clinical symptoms and oxidative stress in patients with this disease.

scholarly journals Longitudinal assessment of S100B serum levels and clinical factors in youth patients with mood disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Rajewska-Rager ◽  
Monika Dmitrzak-Weglarz ◽  
Pawel Kapelski ◽  
Natalia Lepczynska ◽  
Joanna Pawlak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Longitudinal Assessment ◽  
Depressed Group

AbstractMood disorders have been discussed as being in relation to glial pathology. S100B is a calcium-binding protein, and a marker of glial dysfunctions. Although alterations in the S100B expression may play a role in various central nervous system diseases, there are no studies on the potential role of S100B in mood disorders in adolescents and young adults . In a prospective two-year follow-up study, peripheral levels of S100B were investigated in 79 adolescent/young adult patients (aged 14–24 years), diagnosed with mood disorders and compared with 31 healthy control subjects. A comprehensive clinical interview was conducted which focused on clinical symptoms and diagnosis change. The diagnosis was established and verified at each control visit. Serum S100B concentrations were determined. We detected: lower S100B levels in medicated patients, compared with those who were drug-free, and healthy controls; higher S100B levels in a depressed group with a family history of affective disorder; correlations between age and medication status; sex-dependent differences in S100B levels; and lack a of correlation between the severity of depressive or hypo/manic symptoms. The results of our study indicate that S100B might be a trait-dependent rather than a state-dependent marker. Due to the lack of such studies in the youth population, further research should be performed. A relatively small sample size, a lack of exact age-matched control group, a high drop-out rate.

scholarly journals Policosanol Attenuates Statin-Induced Increases in Serum Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 When Combined with Atorvastatin

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan-Lin Guo ◽  
Rui-Xia Xu ◽  
Cheng-Gang Zhu ◽  
Na-Qiong Wu ◽  
Zhi-Ping Cui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Statin Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Proprotein Convertase ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Modest Effect

Objective. Statin treatment alone has been demonstrated to significantly increase plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels. The effect of policosanol combined with statin on PCSK9 is unknown.Methods. Protocol I: 26 patients with atherosclerosis were randomly assigned to receive either atorvastatin 20 mg/d or policosanol 20 mg/d + atorvastatin 20 mg/d for 8 weeks. Protocol II: 15 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to either policosanol 20 mg/d or a control group for 12 weeks. Serum levels of PCSK9 were determined at day 0 and the end of each protocol.Results. Protocol I: atorvastatin 20 mg/d significantly increased serum PCSK9 level by 39.4% (256 ± 84 ng/mL versus 357 ± 101 ng/mL,P=0.002). However, policosanol 20 mg/d + atorvastatin 20 mg/d increased serum PCSK9 level by only 17.4% without statistical significance (264 ± 60 ng/mL versus 310 ± 86 ng/mL,P=0.184). Protocol II: there was a trend toward decreasing serum PCSK9 levels in the policosanol group (289 ± 71 ng/mL versus 235 ± 46 ng/mL,P=0.069).Conclusion. Policosanol combined with statin attenuated the statin-induced increase in serum PCSK9 levels. This finding indicates that policosanol might have a modest effect of lowering serum PCSK9 levels.

Synthetic Food Colors and Hyperactivity in Children: A Double-Blind Challenge Experiment

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 975-983
Author(s):  
J. Preston Harley ◽  
Charles G. Matthews ◽  
Peter Eichman
Keyword(s):  
Classroom Behavior ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Comparable Data ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Multiple Trials ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Male Subjects ◽  
Comparison Measures

Nine hyperactive male subjects, selected on the basis of showing a favorable "response" to the Feingold diet in an earlier study, were maintained on a strict elimination (Feingold) diet for 11 weeks, and were given multiple trials of placebo and challenge food materials. Parental and teacher ratings, classroom behavior observations, and neuropsychological test scores obtained during baseline, placebo, and challenge conditions, in general, were not found to be adversely affected by the artificial color challenge materials. As expected, comparable data gathered on a matched control group showed them to receive substantially better ratings than the hyperactive subjects on the majority of the comparison measures employed. Possible explanations for the discrepancy between the dramatic clinical-anecdotal reports that have been given and the much more equivocal findings from format experimental projects are presented.

scholarly journals Effect of In-Vitro Alpha Lipoic Acid Addition on Spermatozoa Motility in Sperm Preparation Process

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 246
Author(s):  
Gede Wira Buanayuda ◽  
Hamdani Lunardhi ◽  
Indra Gusti Mansur
Keyword(s):  
Lipoic Acid ◽  
Intrauterine Insemination ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Infertile Couple ◽  
Preparation Process ◽  
Alpha Lipoic Acid ◽  
Sperm Preparation ◽  
Progressive Motility ◽  
Child Hospital

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.

scholarly journals Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on antioxidant gene expression and kidney injury in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Jamor ◽  
Hassan Ahmadvand ◽  
Hesam Ashoory ◽  
Esmaeel Babaeenezhad
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Lipoic Acid ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Diabetic Rats ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Alpha Lipoic Acid ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gpx Activity

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.

scholarly journals Effects of curcumin-piperine co-supplementation on clinical signs, duration, severity, and inflammatory factors in patients with COVID-19: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahsa Miryan ◽  
Mohammad Bagherniya ◽  
Amirhossein Sahebkar ◽  
Davood Soleimani ◽  
Mohammad Hossein Rouhani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Inflammatory Mediators ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Full Protocol ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Objectives This study aims to investigate the efficacy of curcumin-piperine co-supplementation on disease duration, severity and clinical symptoms, and inflammatory mediators in patients with coronavirus (COVID-19). Trial design This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel arm clinical trial. Participants All patients aged 20-75 years with the diagnosis of Covid-19 based on the PCR test. The exclusion criteria will include an age less than 20 and more than 75 years, current use of warfarin or other anticoagulant drugs, and the presence of sensitivity to herbal products such as turmeric and pepper. This study will be conducted in academic hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Intervention and comparator Fifty outpatients will be randomly allocated in a ratio of 1:1 to receive a capsule of curcumin-piperine containing 500 mg curcumin plus 5 mg piperine or matching placebo containing 505 mg maltodextrin twice a daily, after lunch and dinner, over a period of 2 weeks. Similarly, 50 inpatients who are admitted to hospital wards excluding intensive care unit (ICU) will be randomly assigned in a ratio of 1:1 to receive a capsule curcumin-piperine or matching placebo (provided by the Sami Labs company) twice a daily, after lunch and dinner, over a period of 2 weeks. Main outcomes The main outcomes of this study are the efficacy of curcumin-piperine on coronavirus disease’s clinical symptoms, duration, severity, and inflammatory mediators after 2 weeks of curcumin-piperine co-supplementation. Randomisation Randomization sequences will be generated with the use of a random-number table with a permuted block design (block size of 4) and stratification according to the gender variable (male vs. female). These sequences will be prepared by an independent statistician and will be kept in opaque, sealed, numbered envelopes which will be opened only at the time of enrollment. The allocation ratio in intervention and control groups is 1:1. Researchers and all patients will be unaware of the study-group assignment until the completion of data analyses. Blinding (masking) This study is a double-blind clinical trial (participant, researcher). The curcumin-piperine and placebo supplements are packaged in similar numbered drug containers, and the researcher and all patients will be unaware of the study assignment until the end of the study. Numbers to be randomised (sample size) The calculated total sample size is 100 patients, with 25 patients in each group. Trial Status The protocol is Version 2.0, May 24, 2020. Recruitment began May 4, 2020, and is anticipated to be completed by April 19, 2021. Trial registration This trial has been registered by the title of “Effect of curcumin-piperine co-supplementation on disease duration, severity and clinical signs, and inflammatory factors in patients with coronavirus (COVID-19): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial study” in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) with code “IRCT20121216011763N46”, https://www.irct.ir/trial/47529. The registration date is May 4, 2020. Full protocol The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

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