Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Multiple Cytokines and Biomarkers and Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation Within 1 Year of Catheter Ablation. Impact of therapy with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on the oxidative stress in the controlled NIDDM: a possible preventive way against the organ dysfunction? Effects of alpha lipoic acid supplementation on serum levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in patient with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis Dietary alpha-linolenic acid inhibits proinflammatory cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Role of alpha-lipoic acid in the management of anemia in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis Effect of alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation, and malnutrition in hemodialysis patients. The effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in men with chronic spinal cord injury: a clinical trial Alpha-Linolenic Acid: Is It Essential to Cardiovascular Health? The comparison of antioxidant and hematological properties of N-acetylcysteine and alpha-lipoic acid in physically active males. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid decreases C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and interleukin-6 in dyslipidaemic patients. Adjunctive &agr;-lipoic acid reduces weight gain compared with placebo at 12 weeks in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): an open trial of comparative efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) with other therapies. Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled pilot trial. Alpha-Lipoic Acid for the Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography: The ALIVE Study - A Prospective Randomized Trial Anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and plant sterols in hyperlipidemic individuals. Plant- and marine-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have differential effects on fasting and postprandial blood lipid concentrations and on the susceptibility of LDL to oxidative modification in moderately hyperlipidemic subjects. A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Alpha Lipoic Acid in Alzheimer’s Disease
Catheter ablation ( CA ) is a procedure commonly used to restore sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation ( AF ) . However , AF recurrence after CA remains a relevant clinical issue . We tested the effects of an oral antioxidant treatment ( alpha lipoic acid [ ALA ] ) on AF recurrence post-CA . Patients with paroxysmal AF have been enrolled in a r and omized , prospect i ve , double-blind , controlled placebo trial . After CA , patients have been r and omly assigned to receive ALA oral supplementation ( ALA group ) or placebo ( control group ) and evaluated at baseline and after a 12-month follow-up : 73 patients completed the 12-month follow-up  ( ALA : 33 and control : 40 ) . No significant difference has been detected between the 2 groups at baseline . Strikingly , 1 year after CA , ALA therapy significantly reduced serum markers of inflammation . However , there was no significant difference in AF recurrence events at follow-up comparing ALA with placebo group . Multivariate analysis revealed that the only independent prognostic risk factor for AF recurrence after CA is age . In conclusion , ALA therapy reduces serum levels of common markers of inflammation in ablated patients . Nevertheless , ALA does not prevent AF recurrence after an ablative treatment There is a growing evidence that excess generation of highly reactive free radicals , largely due to hyperglycemia , causes oxidative stress , which further exacerbates the development and progression of diabetes and its complications . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of ALA on lipid profile , oxidative pattern and inflammation in patients with controlled non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus ( NIDDM ) .  ALA , 400mg/day was investigated in NIDDM patients over a period of 4 weeks using a r and omized , placebo-(PLA)-controlled study with two parallel groups . The marker of oxidative stress was the concentration of reactive oxygen metabolites , evaluated using a commercially available test , called d-ROMs  test  , and the  biological antioxidant potential ( BAP ) ; besides , the lipid profile ( total cholesterol = TC , high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol = HDL-C ; low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol = LDL-C , and triglycerides = TG ) and the C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , marker of inflammation were measured at the beginning and at the end of the treatment . A total of 14 patients were r and omly assigned to the two groups . ALA was safe and well tolerated in the only oral daily administration . The d-ROMs test ( p=0.03 ) and HDL-C ( p=0.04 ) showed a significant difference between the two groups . BAP ( p=0.06 ) tended to be higher in the treated patients , while LDL-C ( p=0.07 ) presented a moderate decline . There were no significant differences in TC ( p=0.65 ) , TG ( p=0.78 ) and CRP ( p=0.96 ) between the ALA and PLA groups . ALA therapy appears to reduce significantly d-ROMs and to improve HDL-C value , especially in men with metabolic syndrome treated with oral hypoglycemic drugs . These findings will be useful in patient selection in future clinical trials with ALA in long term studies Background Chronic renal failure is a progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function , and the hemodialysis ( HD ) is one of the most common modalities in this regard . Oxidative stresses [ like interleukin-8 ( IL-8 ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-α ) ] and inflammation are the main risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases and other complications in many organs in hemodialysis patients ; meanwhile , antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid ( ALA ) may reduce the oxidative stress markers and the levels of inflammatory cytokines , so can improve of the patient ’s quality of life . Methods In this r and omized clinical trial study , 60 HD patients were r and omly categorized in two case and control groups . Case group received a daily capsule of 600 mg of ALA supplementation for 8 weeks , and the control group received placebo capsules daily . The serum level of IL-8 and TNF-α was measured in both groups before and after the intervention . Results There were no significant differences in age , gender , duration of dialysis , and causative factor for dialysis between both groups ( P > 0.05 ) . The mean of IL-8 and TNF-α after the intervention in case group was 26.20 ± 15.34 and 21.25 ± 9.61 , respectively ; the difference between both groups was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05 ) . Conclusion Based on the better feeling and other beneficial effects of ALA were found in our study ; we can conclude that it is a beneficial and recommended supplement , especially , for diabetic and dialysis patients BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease . We previously reported that a diet high in alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) reduces lipid and inflammatory cardiovascular disease risk factors in hypercholesterolemic subjects . OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate the effects of a diet high in ALA on serum proinflammatory cytokine concentrations and cytokine production by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( P BMC s ) from subjects fed the experimental diets . DESIGN A r and omized , controlled , 3-diet , 3-period crossover study design was used . Hypercholesterolemic subjects ( n = 23 ) were assigned to 3 experimental diets : a diet high in ALA ( ALA diet ; 6.5 % of energy ) , a diet high in linoleic acid ( LA diet ; 12.6 % of energy ) , and an average American diet ( AAD ) for 6 wk . Serum interleukin (IL)-6 , IL-1beta , and tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-alpha ) concentrations and the production of IL-6 , IL-1beta , and TNF-alpha by P BMC s were measured . RESULTS IL-6 , IL-1beta , and TNF-alpha production by P BMC s and serum TNF-alpha concentrations were lower ( P < 0.05 and P < 0.08 , respectively ) with the ALA diet than with the LA diet or AAD .  P BMC production of TNF-alpha was inversely correlated with ALA ( r = -0.402 , P = 0.07 ) and with eicosapentaenoic acid ( r = -0.476 , P = 0.03 ) concentrations in P BMC lipids with the ALA diet . Changes in serum ALA were inversely correlated with changes in TNF-alpha produced by P BMC s ( r = -0.423 , P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Increased intakes of dietary ALA elicit antiinflammatory effects by inhibiting IL-6 , IL-1beta , and TNF-alpha production in cultured P BMC s. Changes in P BMC ALA and eicosapentaenoic acid ( derived from dietary ALA ) are associated with beneficial changes in TNF-alpha release . Thus , the cardioprotective effects of ALA are mediated in part by a reduction in the production of inflammatory cytokines Introduction Anemia associated with chronic kidney disease is a serious complication necessitating expenditure of huge medical efforts and re sources . This study investigates the role of alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) in end stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis . By the virtue of its antioxidative effects , ALA is expected to act as an erythropoietin ( EPO ) adjuvant , and also has extended beneficial effects on endothelial dysfunction . Methods Forty-four patients undergoing hemodialysis and receiving EPO  were r and omized into two groups : the first group received ALA 600 mg once daily for 3 months ; while the other group represented the control group . Parameters measured at baseline and at end of study were hemoglobin , EPO doses , EPO resistance index ( ERI ) , iron store indices , malondialdehyde , oxidized low-density lipoprotein ( ox-LDL ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , tumor necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α ) , and asymmetric dimethylarginine ( ADMA ) , as well as routine laboratory follow-up . Results EPO doses and ERI were significantly decreased in the treatment group , while they did not change in the control group . Hemoglobin , iron store indices , malondialdehyde , oxidized ox-LDL , IL-6 , TNF-α , and ADMA were similar in both treatment and control groups at baseline , and did not change by the end of study period . Likewise , routine laboratory measures were not affected by the treatment . Conclusion ALA could be used in hemodialysis patients to reduce requirements for EPO . However , larger and longer term studies are required to clarify the exact role of ALA in hemodialysis as well as in pre-hemodialysis patients INTRODUCTION Increased oxidative stress , inflammation , and malnutrition are present in hemodialysis patients and these factors exacerbate cardiovascular comorbidities . Vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) may have a protective role against cardiovascular disease risk factors via anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ALA and vitamin E administration ( alone or combined ) on hemodialysis-induced stress oxidation , inflammation , and malnutrition . MATERIAL S AND METHODS In a r and omized placebo-controlled trial , we examined the effects of 2-month supplementation by vitamin E and ALA ( alone or combined ) on biomarkers of lipid peroxidation ( malondialdehyde ) , inflammation ( high-sensitivity C-Reactive protein and interleukin-6 ) , and malnutrition ( Subjective Global Assessment and body mass index ) in 85 hemodialysis patients receiving ALA ( 600 mg ) , vitamin E ( 400 IU ) , ALA and vitamin E , and placebo .  RESULTS After supplementation , no significant changes were observed in malondialdehyde level ; however , there was a decrease in the ALA and vitamin E group during the period of the study . Also , a nonsignificant decrease was seen in the high-sensitivity C-Reactive protein concentration of the interventional groups . Supplementation of vitamin E with and without ALA significantly reduced interleukin-6 concentration . A significant improvement was observed in malnutrition status of all groups . CONCLUSIONS Vitamin E and ALA supplementation , especially their combination , might improve inflammation and malnutrition status , which suggest it as a potential preventive strategy against CVD among end-stage renal disease patients Study design : A r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial . Objective : To assess the effect of alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) supplementation on IL-6 , hs-CRP , FBS , anthropometric indices , food intake and blood pressure in male patients with chronic spinal cord injury ( SCI ) . Setting : Imam Khomeini Hospital , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran . Methods : Fifty-eight men with chronic SCI participated in the study . Participants were divided in two groups : one group received 600 mg of supplemental ALA ( n=28 ) and the other group received placebo ( n=30 ) for 12 weeks . At the beginning and end of the study , biochemical parameters , anthropometric indices , blood pressure and dietary intakes were measured . Dietary intake was measured using N4 software , and statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS16 . Results : No significant reduction was found in IL-6 ( P=0.97 ) and hs-CRP levels ( P=0.23 ) . There was significant reduction in fasting blood sugar ( P=0.001 ) , body weight ( P=0.001 ) , BMI ( P=0.001 ) , waist circumference ( P=0.001 ) and blood pressure ( P=0.001 ) . Dietary intake was significantly reduced , including fat ( P=0.001 ) , carbohydrate ( P=0.001 ) , protein ( P=0.002 ) and energy intakes ( P=0.001 ) . Conclusion : Lipoic acid supplementation had no significant effect on the measured inflammatory markers but it reduces fasting blood sugar , anthropometric parameters , food intake and blood pressure in men with chronic SCI There is a large body of scientific evidence that has been confirmed in r and omized controlled trials indicating a cardioprotective effect for omega-3 fatty acids from fish . For alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) , which is the omega-3 fatty acid from plants , the relation to cardiovascular health is less clear . We review ed the recent literature on dietary ALA intake , ALA tissue concentrations , and cardiovascular health in humans . Short-term trials ( 6–12 weeks ) in generally healthy participants mostly showed no or inconsistent effects of ALA intake ( 1.2–3.6 g/d ) on blood lipids , low-density lipoprotein oxidation , lipoprotein(a ) , and apolipoproteins A-I and B. Studies of ALA in relation to inflammatory markers and glucose metabolism yielded conflicting results . With regard to clinical cardiovascular outcomes , there is observational evidence for a protective effect against nonfatal myocardial infa rct ion . However , no protective associations were observed between  ALA status and risk of heart failure , atrial fibrillation , and sudden death . Findings from long-term trials of ALA supplementation are awaited to answer the question whether food-based or higher doses of ALA could be important for cardiovascular health in cardiac patients and the general population The aim of this study was to follow up whether the modification of pro-antioxidant status by oral thiol administration such as N-acetylcysteine and alpha-lipoic acid affects the  hematological response . Twenty-eight healthy men participated in two independent experiments . Subjects were r and omly assigned to one of four groups : controls ( C(NAC ) and C(ALA ) ) , N-acetylcysteine ( NAC ) and alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) . 1200 mg of N-acetylcysteine , 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid or placebo were administered for 8 days in two doses . NAC or ALA administration significantly elevated plasma total antioxidant status ( TAS ) and reduced protein carbonylation ( PC ) and lipid peroxidation ( TBARS ) by more than 30 % . The reduced glutathione ( GSH ) and hematological parameters changed only in response to NAC administration . NAC significantly elevated the level of GSH ( + 33 % ) , EPO ( + 26 % ) , Hb ( + 9 % ) and Hct ( + 9 % ) compared with C(NAC ) . The mean corpuscular volume ( MCV ) and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin ( MCH ) also increased by more than 12 % after NAC . The numerous negative or positive correlations between the measures of TAS , PC , TBARS and hematological parameters were found , which suggest the NAC-induced interaction between pro-antioxidant and hematological values . Our study has shown that both N-acetylcysteine and alpha-lipoic acid intake reveal an antioxidant action , but only N-acetylcysteine improves the haematological response BACKGROUND Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease . We examined whether dietary supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA , 18:3n-3 ) affects the levels of inflammatory markers in dyslipidaemic patients . METHODS We recruited 76 male dyslipidaemic patients ( mean age=51+/-8 years ) following a typical Greek diet . They were r and omly assigned either to 15 ml of linseed oil ( rich in ALA ) per day ( n=50 ) or to 15 ml of safflower oil ( rich in linoleic acid ( LA , 18:2n-6 ) ) per day ( n=26 ) . The ratio of n-6:n-3 in linseed oil supplemented group was 1.3:1 and in safflower oil supplemented group 13.2:1 . Dietary intervention lasted for 3 months . Blood lipids and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , serum amyloid A ( SAA ) , and interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) levels were determined prior and after intervention . CRP and SAA were measured by nephelometry and IL-6 by immunoassay . RESULTS Dietary supplementation with ALA decreased significantly CRP , SAA and IL-6 levels . The median decrease of CRP was 38 % ( 1.24 vs. 0.93 mg/l , P=0.0008 ) , of SAA 23.1 % ( 3.24 vs. 2.39 mg/l , P=0.0001 ) and of IL-6 10.5 % ( 2.18 vs. 1.7 pg/ml , P=0.01 ) . The decrease of inflammatory markers was independent of lipid changes . Dietary supplementation with LA did not affect significantly CRP , SAA and IL-6 concentrations but decreased cholesterol levels . CONCLUSIONS Dietary supplementation with ALA for 3 months decreases significantly CRP , SAA and IL-6 levels  in dyslipidaemic patients . This anti-inflammatory effect may provide a possible additional mechanism for the beneficial effect of plant n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease & agr;-Lipoic acid ( ALA ) has been reported to be effective in reducing body weight in rodents and obese patients . Our previous open trial showed that ALA may play a role in reducing weight gain in patients with schizophrenia on atypical antipsychotics . The present study evaluated the efficacy of ALA in reducing weight and BMI in patients with schizophrenia who had experienced significant weight gain since taking atypical antipsychotics . In a 12-week , double-blind r and omized placebo-controlled study , 22 overweight and clinical ly stable patients with schizophrenia were r and omly assigned to receive ALA or placebo . ALA was administered at 600–1800 mg , as tolerated . Weight , BMI , abdomen fat area measured by computed tomography , and metabolic values were determined . Adverse effects were also assessed to examine safety . Overall , 15 patients completed 12 weeks of treatment . There was significant weight loss and decreased visceral fat levels in the ALA group compared with the placebo group . There were no instances of psychopathologic aggravation or severe ALA-associated adverse effects . ALA was effective in reducing weight and abdominal obesity in patients with schizophrenia who had experienced significant weight gain since beginning an atypical antipsychotic regimen . Moreover , ALA was well tolerated throughout this study . ALA might play an important role as an adjunctive treatment in decreasing obesity in patients who take atypical antipsychotics BACKGROUND Alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) is a potent antioxidant mitochondrial coenzyme , trometamol salt of thioctic acid , shown in clinical studies to be neuroprotective and in a preliminary study to have an effect on the symptomatology of  Burning Mouth Syndrome ( BMS ) .  METHODS We were interested in extending our studies as to whether alpha-lipoic acid might improve the symptomatology in BMS and therefore carried out a larger open controlled clinical study on the effects of alpha-lipoic acid on BMS symptomatology . RESULTS We have examined the effects on 4 groups of 20 patients with BMS of ALA  , compared with bethanecol , Biotene and placebo , and found ALA of remarkable benefit with minimal adverse effects . CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that double-blind r and omized controlled multicenter studies of ALA are indicated Alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) , a naturally occuring compound and a radical scavenger was shown to enhance glucose transport and utilization in different experimental and animal models . Clinical studies described an increase of insulin sensitivity after acute and short-term ( 10 d ) parenteral administration of ALA . The effects of a 4-week oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid were evaluated in a placebo-controlled , multicenter pilot study to determine see whether oral treatment also improves insulin sensitivity . Seventy-four patients with type-2 diabetes were r and omized to either placebo ( n = 19 ) ; or active treatment in various doses of 600 mg once daily ( n = 19 ) , twice daily ( 1200 mg ; n = 18 ) , or thrice daily ( 1800 mg ; n = 18 ) alpha-lipoic acid . An isoglycemic glucose-clamp was done on days 0 ( pre ) and 29 ( post ) . In this explorative study , analysis was done according to the number of subjects showing an improvement of insulin sensitivity after treatment . Furthermore , the effects of active vs. placebo treatment on insulin sensitivity was compared . All four groups were comparable and had a similar degree of hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity at baseline . When compared to placebo , significantly more subjects had an increase in insulin-stimulated glucose disposal ( MCR ) after ALA treatment in each group . As there was no dose effect seen in the three different alpha-lipoic acid groups , all subjects receiving ALA were combined in the " active " group and then compared to placebo . This revealed significantly different changes in MCR after treatment ( + 27 % vs. placebo ; p < .01 ) . This placebo-controlled explorative study confirms previous observations of an increase of insulin sensitivity in type-2 diabetes after acute and chronic intravenous administration of ALA . The results suggest that oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid can improve insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes . The encouraging findings of this pilot trial need to be substantiated by further investigations Objectives : α-Lipoic acid ( ALA ) is widely used for diabetic neuropathy due to its antioxidant properties . We evaluated its potential for preventing contrast-induced nephropathy ( CIN ) . Methods : We conducted a prospect i ve r and omized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of ALA in CIN prevention . Two hundred and two patients with basal renal insufficiency who received elective coronary angiography were r and omized to the ALA group [ ALA treatment for 2 days ( 600 mg orally three times a day before and after coronary catheterization , n = 100 ) ] or the control group ( n = 102 ) . The primary end point was the maximum increase in serum creatinine ( sCr ) and the secondary end point was the incidence of CIN defined as an increase in sCr of either ≥25 % or ≥44.2 µmol/l . Results : Mean maximum increase in sCr was not different between the ALA and the control group ( -1.32 ± 30.5 vs. -1.19 ± 30.1 µmol/l , respectively ; p = 0.977 ) . sCr did not significantly change from baseline ( 120.8 ± 69.8 vs. 122 ± 88.1 µmol/l ) in the ALA group and the simple saline hydration group ( 108.2 ± 37.5 vs. 110 ± 49 µmol/l ) . There was a lower rate of CIN in the ALA group than in the control group , but the difference was not statistically significant ( 3.0 vs. 6.9 % , respectively ; p = 0.332 ) . Conclusion : ALA showed no benefit in CIN prevention BACKGROUND Risk factors of cardiovascular disease such as lipid aberrations , hypertension , abdominal adiposity and elevations in systemic inflammation , are prominent aetiologies in hyperlipidemia . Supplementation with n-3 PUFA is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular events through its hypotriglyceridemic , anti-aggregatory and anti-inflammatory properties . Plant sterols have potent hypocholesterolemic properties , although their effect on the inflammatory cascade is uncertain . This study investigated the effect of combined supplementation with n-3 PUFA and plant sterols on cardiovascular risk factors , blood pressure , body composition , markers of systemic inflammation and overall risk , in hyperlipidemic individuals . METHODS The study was a 3-week r and omised , double-blind , placebo-controlled , 2 x 2 factorial design , in four parallel groups . Sixty hyperlipidemic participants were r and omised to receive either sunola oil or 1.4 g/d n-3 PUFA capsules with or without 2 g plant sterols per day . RESULTS The combination of n-3 PUFA and plant sterols reduced several inflammatory markers . High sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) was reduced by 39 % ( P=0.009 ) , tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-alpha ) by 10 % ( P=0.02 ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) by 10.7 % ( P=0.009 ) , leukotriene B(4 ) ( LTB(4 ) ) by 29.5 % ( P=0.01 ) and adiponectin was increased by 29.5 % ( P=0.05 ) . Overall cardiovascular risk was reduced by 22.6 % ( P=0.006 ) in the combination group . CONCLUSION We have demonstrated , for the first time that dietary intervention with n-3 PUFA and plant sterols reduces systemic inflammation  in hyperlipidemic individuals . Furthermore , our results suggest that reducing inflammation provides a potential mechanism by which the combination of n-3 PUFA and plant sterols are cardioprotective BACKGROUND Dietary alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) can be converted to long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) in humans and may reproduce some of the beneficial effects of eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) on cardiovascular disease risk factors . OBJECTIVE This study aim ed to compare the effects of increased dietary intakes of ALA and EPA+DHA on a range of atherogenic risk factors . DESIGN This was a placebo-controlled , parallel study involving 150 moderately hyperlipidemic subjects r and omly assigned to 1 of 5 interventions :  0.8 or 1.7 g EPA+DHA/d  , 4.5 or 9.5 g ALA/d , or an n-6 PUFA control for 6 mo . Fatty acids were incorporated into 25 g of fat spread and 3 capsules to be consumed daily . RESULTS The change in fasting or postpr and ial lipid , glucose , or insulin concentrations or in blood pressure was not significantly different after any of the n-3 PUFA interventions compared with the n-6 PUFA control . The mean ( + /- SEM ) change in fasting triacylglycerols after the 1.7-g/d EPA+DHA intervention ( -7.7 + /- 4.99 % ) was significantly ( P < 0.05 ) different from the change after the 9.5-g/d ALA intervention ( 10.9 + /- 4.5 % ) . The ex vivo susceptibility of LDL to oxidation was higher after the 1.7-g/d EPA+DHA intervention than after the control and ALA interventions ( P < 0.05 ) . There was no significant change in plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations or in whole plasma antioxidant status in any of the groups . CONCLUSION At estimated biologically equivalent intakes , dietary ALA and EPA+DHA have different physiologic effects Oxidative stress , inflammation , and increased cholesterol levels are all mechanisms that have been associated with Alzheimer ’s disease ( AD ) pathology . Several epidemiologic studies have reported a decreased risk of AD with fish consumption . This pilot study was design ed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids alone ( ω-3 ) or omega-3 plus alpha lipoic acid ( ω-3 + LA ) compared to placebo on oxidative stress biomarkers in AD . The primary outcome measure was peripheral F2-isoprostane levels ( oxidative stress measure ) . Secondary outcome measures included performance on : Mini-Mental State Examination ( MMSE ) , Activities of Daily Living/Instrumental Activities of Daily Living ( ADL/IADL ) , and Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale ( ADAS-cog ) . Thirty-nine AD subjects were r and omized to one of three groups : 1 ) placebo , 2 ) ω-3 , or 3 ) ω-3 + LA for a treatment duration of 12 months . Eighty seven percent ( 34/39 ) of the subjects completed the 12-month intervention . There was no difference between groups at 12 months in peripheral F2-isoprostane levels ( p = 0.83 ) . The ω-3 + LA and ω-3 were not significantly different than the placebo group in ADAS-cog ( p = 0.98 , p = 0.86 ) and in ADL ( p = 0.15 , p = 0.82 ) . Compared to placebo , the ω-3+LA showed less decline in MMSE ( p < 0.01 ) and IADL ( p= 0.01 ) and the ω-3 group showed less decline in IADL ( p < 0.01 ) . The combination of ω-3+LA  slowed cognitive and functional decline in AD over 12 months . Because the results were generated from a small sample size , further evaluation of the combination of omega-3 fatty acids plus alpha-lipoic acid as a potential treatment in AD is warranted
Our results indicated possible decreasing effect of ALA on inflammatory mediators especially in high dose .
& NA ; Alpha‐Lipoic Acid ( ALA ) is a natural antioxidant compound which is naturally found in plant sources .
New evidence revealed that ALA can reduce inflammation .
Our objective in this meta‐ analysis was to conduct a systematic review and meta‐ analysis on r and omized controlled trials to indicate ALA effects on serum inflammatory mediators concentration such as tumor necrosis factor‐alpha ( TNF‐&agr ; ) , c‐reactive protein ( CRP ) , and interleukin‐6 ( IL‐6 ) .