alpha-Lipoic acid prevents the increase in atherosclerosis induced by diabetes
in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed high-fat/low-cholesterol diet.
Authors Yi X, Maeda N
Submitted By Nobuyo Maeda on 2/23/2009
Status Published
Journal Diabetes
Year 2006
Date Published 8/1/2006
Volume : Pages 55(8) : 2238 - 2244
PubMed Reference 16873686
Abstract Considerable evidence indicates that hyperglycemia increases oxidative stress
and contributes to the increased incidence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular
complications in diabetic patients. To examine the effect of alpha-lipoic acid,
a potent natural antioxidant, on atherosclerosis in diabetic mice, 3-month-old
apolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice were made diabetic by
administering streptozotocin (STZ). At 4 weeks after starting the STZ
administration, a high-fat diet with or without alpha-lipoic acid (1.65 g/kg)
was given to the mice and to nondiabetic apoE(-/-) controls. At 20 weeks,
markers of oxidative stress were significantly lower in both the diabetic
apoE(-/-) mice and their nondiabetic apoE(-/-) controls with alpha-lipoic acid
supplement than in those without it. Remarkably, alpha-lipoic acid completely
prevented the increase in plasma total cholesterol, atherosclerotic lesions, and
the general deterioration of health caused by diabetes. These protective effects
of alpha-lipoic acid were accompanied by a reduction of plasma glucose and an
accelerated recovery of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, suggesting that
part of its effects are attributable to protecting pancreatic beta-cells from
damage. Our results suggest that dietary alpha-lipoic acid is a promising
protective agent for reducing cardiovascular complications of diabetes.


Investigators with authorship
NameInstitution
Nobuyo MaedaUniversity of North Carolina

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