Effect of Alpha-lipoic Acid Supplementation on Glycemic Control in the Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Abstract BackgroundMetabolic syndrome is a collection of metabolic disorders. It is an important risk factor for progression towards type 2 diabetes and coronary artery diseases. Alpha-lipoic acid also plays a role as a co-factor for multi-enzyme complexes catalyzing oxidative. Antioxidant properties of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) are associated with insulin-like effects. The present study examined the effect of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on glycemic control in the patients with metabolic syndrome.MethodsA total of 46 patients with metabolic syndrome have participated in this double-blind randomized parallel-group clinical trial, 23 patients in one group received 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid supplement and 23 patients in another group received the placebo for 12 weeks. RCT protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov and it is available using NCT03589690 code. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), Serum insulin, Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin resistance, were measured at the beginning and the end of the study. Dietary intake of participants was examined at the beginning of the study and this information was evaluated using Nutritionist 4 (N4) software. Studied information was analyzed by SPSS-24 software.ResultsThere were significant decreases in FBS levels (P = 0.009), serum insulin (P = 0.02), and insulin resistance (P = 0.001) between the two groups. Also, the HbA1c levels (P = 0.16) had no significant difference between the two groups.ConclusionALA is a potent antioxidant that it might be able to improve the blood glucose levels, serum insulin and insulin resistance; thus it will have positive effects on promoting the health levels in the patients with metabolic syndrome.Trial registrationNCT03589690