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Abstract Objectives Olfactory loss is a recognized long-term dysfunction after Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This investigation aimed to assess the effect of alpha-lipoic acid as an adjuvant treatment of olfactory training on the improvement of smell loss in post-COVID-19 patients. Methods This randomized controlled trial included 128 adult outpatients who had persistent smell loss for more than 3-months after COVID-19 infection. The participants were randomly allocated into two groups: the intervention treatment group, which received alpha-lipoic acid associated to olfactory training, and comparison treatment group, which received placebo pills associated to olfactory training. The participants were followed-up for 12-weeks. Olfactory dysfunction was assessed in terms of Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) test for the Brazilian population. Results A total of 100 participants completed the follow-up period and were analyzed in this study. Both groups have improved CCCRC score (p= 0.000), olfactory threshold (p= 0.000), identification score (p= 0.000) and VAS score (p= 0.000) after 12-weeks follow-up. No significant differences were determined between the intervention and comparison treatment groups in CCCRC score (p= 0.63), olfactory threshold (p= 0.50), identification score (p= 0.96) and VAS score (p= 0.97). In all these criteria, comparison treatment group went slightly worse. At the endpoint of the study, the frequency of anosmia reduced to 2% in the intervention treatment group and to 7.8% in the comparison treatment group. Also, 16.8% of the intervention group' subjects, and 15.7% of comparison treatment group's patients reached normosmia. Conclusions Overall, there was a strongly significant difference in olfactory function between baseline and endpoint for both groups. However, based on the lack of significant difference between the intervention treatment and the comparison treatment groups in terms of olfactory changes, our study appoints that the alpha-lipoic acid is not better than olfactory training alone to treat olfactory loss after COVID-19. Level of evidence Level 2.
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AIM: To investigate the preventive effect and optimal drug dose of lipoic acid-niacin(N2L)against blue light-induced retinal damage in SD rats, and to explore its possible protective mechanism.METHODS: A total of 36 specific pathogen free-grade male SD rats of 150-200 g were selected and randomly divided into normal control group, blue light injury group, N2L low-dose group(1.0 mg/kg), N2L medium-dose group(2.5 mg/kg), N2L high-dose group(5.0 mg/kg), and physiological saline group, with 6 rats in each group. The normal control group was reared in a 12 h dark and light cycle, and the rest of the groups received 9 h of daily light exposure, 3 h of blue light irradiation with a wavelength of 455 nm and an intensity of 3000±50 lx, and 12 h of darkness to establish the injury model, and were exposed to light exposure for 14 d. For 14 consecutive durations, a 1 mL dose of the corresponding drug was injected intraperitoneally. The rats were reared for another 5 d with a regular 12 h light-dark cycle and were examined by electroretinography. Specimens were prepared by over anesthesia, HE staining, and the thickness of the outer nuclear layer was observed under a optical microscope; superoxide dismutases(SOD)activity was detected by CheKineTM SOD Activity Assay Kit; and the retinal Caspase-3, quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1), glutathione S transferase(GST), Bcl-2, and Bax protein expression in rat retina were detected by Western blot.RESULTS: The amplitude of b-wave in dark-vision ERG 3.0 and 10.0(cd·s)/m2 stimulated light, b-wave in bright-vision ERG 3.0(cd·s)/m2 stimulated light, and the amplitude of the 2nd wave peak of oscillatory potential were significantly lower in blue light injury group than that in the normal control group(all P<0.01), while the amplitude was significantly higher in the N2L medium-dose group than in the blue light injury group(all P<0.05), and was not statistically different from that of the normal control group; the thickness of the retina in the blue light injury group was decreased in the ONL compared with that of the normal control group(P<0.001), while in the N2L medium dose group, it was thicker than that of the blue light injury group(P<0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference from the normal control group; SOD activity was significantly higher in the N2L medium-dose group than in the remaining 5 groups(P<0.05); the expression of Caspase-3, Bax, and NQO1 in the blue light injury group was higher than that of the normal control group(all P<0.01), and expression of Bax and Caspase-3 was significantly lower in the N2L medium-dose group compared with the blue light injury group(all P<0.001), whereas GST, NQO1 and Bcl-2 were significantly increased(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION:A concentration of 2.5 mg/kg N2L can effectively antagonize the damaging effect of blue light on the retina of SD rats, and it is expected to be a preventive and curative drug for it.
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Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate glucose metabolism (GM) in skeletal muscle by improving the translocation of GLUT4. Antioxidant supplementation could block this physiological effect, altering glucose signaling during exercise. However, there is limited evidence in humans on whether antioxidant intake affects GM. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effect of an antioxidant cocktail (AOC) on GM at rest and during metabolic challenges. Methods: Ten healthy male subjects received AOC supplementation (1000 mg of Vitamin C, 600 IU of Vitamin E, and 600 mg of α-lipoic acid) or placebo (2.000 mg of talc) before two trials conducted 7 days apart. Trial 1: AOC 120 and 90 minutes before an endurance exercise (EEX) bout at 60 % of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max); Trial 2: AOC 120 and 90 minutes before an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT; 75 g glucose). Measurements of gas exchange and capillary blood samples were collected every 15 minutes during both trials. Results: AOC supplementation increased resting glucose levels (p<0.05). During Trial 1 (EEX), the AOC increased carbohydrate oxidation (CHOox) (p= 0.03), without effect in glucose blood levels. During Trial 2 (OGTT), the AOC supplementation had no significant effect on GM parameters. Conclusion: Acute supplementation with AOC increased resting glucose levels and CHOox during EEX in healthy subjects, with no effect on GM during the OGTT.
Antecedentes: Las especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS) regulan el metabolismo de la glucosa (GM) en el músculo esquelético al mejorar la translocación de GLUT4. La suplementación con antioxidantes podría bloquear este efecto fisiológico, alterando la señalización de la glucosa durante el ejercicio. Sin embargo, existe evidencia limitada en humanos sobre si la ingesta de antioxidantes afecta el GM. Por lo tanto, nuestro objetivo fue determinar el efecto de un cóctel de antioxidantes (AOC) en el GM en reposo y durante desafíos metabólicos. Métodos: Sujetos sanos (sexo masculino; n= 10) recibieron suplementos de AOC (1.000 mg de vitamina C, 600 UI de vitamina E y 600 mg de ácido α-lipoico) o placebo (2.000 mg de talco) previo a dos pruebas realizadas con 7 días de diferencia. Prueba 1: AOC 120 y 90 minutos antes de una serie de ejercicio de resistencia (EEX) al 60% del consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2max); prueba 2: AOC 120 y 90 minutos antes de una prueba de tolerancia oral a la glucosa (OGTT; 75 g de glucosa). Se obtuvieron datos de intercambio de gaseoso y muestras de sangre capilar cada 15 minutos durante ambas pruebas. Resultados: la suplementación con AOC aumentó los niveles de glucosa en reposo (p<0,05). Durante la prueba 1 (EEX), el AOC aumentó la oxidación de carbohidratos (CHOox) (p= 0,03), sin efecto en los niveles de glucosa en sangre. Durante la prueba 2 (OGTT), la suplementación con AOC no tuvo un efecto significativo en los parámetros de GM. Conclusión: Una suplementación aguda con AOC aumentó los niveles de glucosa en reposo y la CHOox durante EEX en sujetos sanos, sin efecto sobre el GM durante la OGTT.
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Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Shenxie Zhitong capsule in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy（DPN） of stagnant blockade of collaterals， and evaluate its effectiveness and safety. Method:The 104 patients were randomly divided into the Shenxie Zhitong capsule treatment group （the treatment group， 53 patients） and the alpha lipoic acid group （control group， 51 patients）， and two groups were compared by random and contrast test. The changes of the Toronto clinical scoring system （TCSS）， utah early neuropathy scores （UENS）， traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）syndrome scores， visual analysis scale （VAS）， ankle brachial index （ABI）， vibrating perception threshold （VPT） before and after treatment were compared between two groups， and the endpoint events， such as foot ulcers， percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）， death and composite endpoint events， related indicators of glucose and lipid metabolism and safety indicators were recorded among patients. Result:Compared with the data before treatment， the scores of TCSS， UENS， and TCM syndromes in two groups were significantly reduced （<italic>P</italic><0.01） after treatment， and VAS and glycosylated haemoglobin A1c （HbA1c） were significantly reduced （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， during follow-up visit， the levels of right ABI，total cholesterol （TC）， and low-density lipoprotein （LDL） in two groups were significantly reduced （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and high-density lipoprotein （HDL） level was significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. control group in control group， the 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose （2 h PG） and HbA1c levels were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with control group， the VAS of the treatment group after treatment was significantly reduced （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. After treatment and during follow-up visit， compared with control group， the 2 h PG levels of the right toe in the treatment group were significantly reduced （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in endpoint events and safety indicators between two groups， but the incidence trend of composite endpoint events in the treatment group was lower than that in control group. Conclusion:Shenxie Zhitong capsule has definite clinical curative effect in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy， which is more safe and effective than alpha lipoic acid in improving pain symptoms.
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OBJECTIVE：To study the i mprovement effects of α-lipoic acid on glucose metabolism disorder of insulin resistant HepG2 cells. METHODS ：The effects of 25-1 000 µmol/L α-lipoic acid on survival rate of human hepatoma cell HepG2 were determined by MTT assay so as to determine the concentration of α-lipoic acid. Negative control group ，insulin resistance group （1× 10－7 mol/L insulin ），combination resistance group （30 µmol/L sodium arsenite+ 1×10－8 mol/L insulin ），α-lipoic acid low- concentration，medium-concentration and high-concentration groups were set up. HepG 2 cells were treated with α-lipoic acid for 12 h and then cultured with corresponding concentration of sodium arsenite or/and insulin for 24 h. The glucose oxidase method was used to detect the glucose consumption ，colorimetric method was used to detect hexokinase activity and pyruvate kinase activity ， and anthrone method was used to detect glycogen content. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression of GLUT 4， p-GSK3β and GSK3β as well as the ratio of p-Akt/Akt and p-GSK3β/GSK3β. RESULTS：25，50，100 µmol/L α-lipoic acid had no significant effect on the survival rates of HepG 2 cells（P＞0.05），and survival rates of H epG2 cells were higher than 96％，so they were used as the low ，medium and high concentration for follow-up study. Compared with negative control group ，glucose consumption，the activities of hexokinase and pyruvate kinase ，glycogen content ，protein expression of GLUT 4 and p-GSK 3β，the ratio of p-Akt/Akt and p-GSK 3β/GSK3β were decreased significantly in insulin resistance group and combined resistance group， while the protein expression of GSK 3β was increased significantly（P＜0.05）. Compared with combination resistance group ，the glucose consumption （except for α-lipoic acid low- concentration group ），the activities of h exokinase（except for α-lipoic acid low-concentration and medium-concentration groups ） andpyruvate kinase （except for α-lipoic acid low-concentration com and medium-concentration groups ）， glycogen contents ， protein expression of GLUT 4 （except for α-lipoic acid mail：bliang163@163.com low-concentration group ）and p-GSK3β，the ratio of p-Akt/ Akt（except for α-lipoic acid low-concentration and medium-concentration groups ）and p-GSK 3β/GSK3β（except for α-lipoic acid low-concentration groups ）were increased significantly in α-lipoic acid groups ，while protein expression of GSK 3β（except for α-lipoic acid low-concentration and medium-concentration groups ） was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）；glycogen content ， protein expression of GLUT 4 and the ratio of p-GSK 3β/GSK3β in α-lipoic acid high-concentration group as well as the protein expression of p-GSK 3β in α-lipoic acid medium-concentration and high-concentration groups were improved significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS：α-lipoic acid can improve the disorder of glucose metabolism in insulin resistant HepG 2 cells，the mechanism of which may be associated with the increase of glucose consumption ，the activities of glucose metabolism related enzymes and glycogen content ，and expression up-regulation of the phosphorylation levels of Akt and GSK 3β protein，the expression of GLUT 4 and p-GSK 3β proteins，down-regulation of the expression of GSK 3β protein.
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Objective:To explore the protective effect of α-lipoic acid (LA) on radiation damage of mice cochlear ribbon synapses.Methods:Mice were divided into five groups: control group, radiation 3 d group, radiation 3 d+ LA group, radiation 14 d group and radiation 14 d+ LA group. The radiation groups were irradiated with 16 Gy, the radiation+ LA groups were given LA once a day after radiation, the control group was given the same amount of normal saline. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) of mice were measured before irradiation and sacrifice. The number of ribbon synapses were observed with immunofluorescently labeled protein ctBP2. Western blot assay was performed to obtain the semi-quantitative expression levels of otoferlin and AP-2 protein.Results:Compared with the control group, the ABR threshold of radiation groups were significantly higher ( P<0.05) with the highest value at 14 d after irradiation ( P<0.05), and the ABR threshold of the radiation+ LA groups were significantly lower ( P<0.05). The ABR threshold shifts of 12 kHz, 24 kHz at 3 d and 14 d groups had no significant difference with 8 kHz threshold shift ( P>0.05). The 32 kHz threshold shift was significantly higher than 8 kHz threshold shift ( t=-2.38, -5.48, P<0.05). The number of ribbon synapses in the radiation groups was significantly lower than that of control group ( P<0.05), with the lowest value in the radiation 14 d group. LA treatment increased the ABR value significantly ( P<0.05). AP-2 and otoferlin protein levels were significantly reduced after irradiation, especially in the radiation 14 d groups, and they were increased by the LA treatment. Conclusions:LA has protective effect on the ribbon synapses of cochlear hair cells.
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Background: Diabetic peripheral sensorimotor polyneuropathy is the most common complication seen in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Oxidant system plays a crucial role in its physiopathology. We investigated the changes in the serum levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and oxidative stress index (OSI) to evaluate the antioxidant efficacy of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and/or gabapentin in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN).Methods: Sixty-three type 2 DM patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) were enrolled in the study. Patients with DPN were divided into four groups in terms of their treatment: Group 1 consisted of treatment-naive patients; patients treated with ALA, gabapentin or combination of ALA and gabapentin comprised groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The patients received the medications for at least six weeks. Serum levels of TAS, TOS, PON1 and OSI were analyzed.Results: No significant difference was observed between the groups according to the oxidative stress parameters studied.Conclusions: The use of ALA and/or gabapentin in patients with DPN did not significantly affect the oxidative stress parameters, including TAS, TOS, PON1, and OSI.
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Introducción: dados los efectos pleiotrópicos de los glucocorticoides (GCs) sobre el metabolismo, los niveles excesivos y sostenidos de GCs circulantes tienen efectos deletéreos e incrementan la morbilidad y mortalidad cardiovascular. Objetivos: estudiar el efecto de la terapia antioxidante (con ácido lipoico o melatonina) sobre la hiperactivación del eje hipotálamo-hipófiso-adrenal (HHA) en animales alimentados con dieta rica en sacarosa (DRS). Materiales y métodos: se evaluó la actividad del eje HHA y se determinaron parámetros hormonales, de estrés oxidativo y de inflamación en la adenohipófisis de animales tratados con DRS durante tres semanas. Resultados: los animales del grupo DRS mostraron mayores niveles circulantes de hormona adrenocorticotropa (ACTH, por sus siglas en inglés) y corticosterona. En paralelo se detectó un aumento en la expresión del polipéptido precursor (proopiomelanocortina, POMC) y de ACTH en la adenohipófisis, donde también se observó un aumento de lipoperóxidos y proteínas nitradas en tirosina (daño oxidativo), un mayor número de macrófagos tisulares y un incremento en la producción de IL-1beta. El tratamiento antioxidante previno los cambios en estos parámetros. En particular la melatonina también normalizó la actividad del eje HHA y la expresión hipofisaria de POMC. Conclusiones: la sobrecarga metabólica inducida por la administración de DRS genera daño oxidativo e inflamación en la adenohipófisis. La activación de los macrófagos tisulares producida en consecuencia podría impactar sobre los corticotropos hipofisarios e inducir su hiperfunción. La melatonina podría utilizarse como herramienta terapéutica para normalizar la actividad del eje HHA en modelos de obesidad por dieta.
Introduction: given the pleiotropic effects of glucocorticoids (GCs) on metabolism, excessive and sustained levels of circulating GCs, have deleterious effects and increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Objectives: to study the effect of antioxidant therapy on hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in animals fed a sucrose-rich diet (SRD). Materials and methods: the activity of the HPA axis was evaluated and hormonal, oxidative stress and inflammation parameters were determined in the adenohypophysis of animals treated with SRD for trhee weeks. Results: animals from the SRD group showed higher circulating levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone. In parallel, an increase in the expression of the polypeptide precursors, POMC and ACTH were detected in the adenohypophysis. We also observed an increase in lipoperoxides and proteins nitrated in tyrosine (oxidative damage), a greater number of tissue macrophages and an increase in the production of IL-1beta. Antioxidant treatment prevented all these changes. In particular, melatonin also normalized the activity of the HPA axis and pituitary expression of POMC. Conclusions: the metabolic overload induced by the administration of SRD generates oxidative damage and inflammation in the adenohypophysis. Activation of tissue macrophages could affect, in turn, pituitary corticotrophs inducing their activation. Melatonin could be used as a therapeutic tool to normalize the activity of the HPA axis in diet obesity models.
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Animals , Antioxidants , Sucrose , Diet , Hypothalamus , Inflammation , Melatonin , MetabolismABSTRACT
@#Introduction:Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common peripheral neuropathies. Only a few studies evaluate the efficacy of “nutraceuticals” on peripheral nerves and neuropathic pain. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the role of Alfa-Lipoic Acid-R (ALA-R) on clinical and functional outcomes in patients affected by mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Material and Methods: The present investigation is a prospective randomised controlled open label study, performed at our Hand Surgery Department (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome) from October 2018 to March 2019. The enrolled patients were divided in two groups: Group A (ALA-R 600mg once day for 60 days) and Group B (control Group, no drug administration). Results: 134 patients (74 F, 60 M) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In Group A, there was a statistically significant pain reduction compared to the control Group. Using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, there were no significant improvements in the other symptoms and function. Conclusion: ALA-R full dose administration for two months leads to positive short term results in terms of symptoms and function improvement, even if the surgical carpal tunnel release remains the treatment of choice.
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OBJECTIVE: To study the transport of lipoamide (LAM) and lipoic acid (LA) in Caco-2 cell monolayer model in vitro. METHODS: Effects of LAM and LA on the survival rate of Caco-2 cells were investigated by MTS, the bi-directional transport of lipoamide and lipoic acid from the intestinal cavity side (apical side, AP) to the basal side (basolateral side,BL) was investigated. The cumulative transport volume, apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) and transport percentage were calculated,and the relationships between transport volume and concentration and time were further studied. RESULTS: The transport amounts of LAM and LA were increased in time-and concentration-dependent manners, the Papps of LAM and LA (AP→BL) were 2.443 44×10-5-2.392 91×10-5 and 8.179 78×10-6-7.897 25×10-6 cm•s-1, and the Papps(BL→AP) were 2.258 13×10-5-2.214 3×10-5 and 8.267 98×10-6-7.926 73×10-6 cm•s-1, respectively. CONCLUSION: In the transport test of Caco-2 cells, LAM is superior to LA, suggesting that it is well absorbed orally and has high bioavailability. But it is still necessary to verify the pharmacokinetic data in vivo.
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Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of mecobalamin Zusanli acupoint injection combined with α-lipoic acid intravenous infusion in the treatment of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.Methods From February 2016 to August 2017,80 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in Zhoushan Hospital were divided into control group and treatment group according to different treatment methods,with 40 cases in each group.The two groups were given diet,exercise and medication.At the same time,the control group was given mecobalamin Zusanli acupoint injection,the treatment group was given α-lipoic acid intravenous infusion on the basis of the control group.After 2 weeks of treatment,the clinical curative effect was evaluated.The scores of MDNS before and after treatment were evaluated.The motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV),sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV),and the shortest F wave latent period velocity of the tibial nerve were compared before and after treatment in the two groups.The adverse reactions during treatment in the two groups were recorded.Results The total effective rate of the treatment group was 87.5％,which was significantly higher than 52.5％ of the control group(x2 =12.621,P =0.001).The MDNS score of the treatment group after 2 weeks of treatment was (1.82 ±0.74)points,which was significantly lower than (2.45 ± 0.89) points of the control group (t =3.442,P =0.000).After treatment,the MNCV of the common peroneal nerve of the treatment group was (48.12 ±4.98) m/s,which was significantly higher than (42.68 ± 4.59)m/s of the control group (t =5.080,P =0.000).The median nerve MNCV of the treatment group was (53.31 ± 4.41)m/s,which was significantly higher than (49.85 ± 3.87)m/s of the control group (t =3.729,P =0.000).After treatment,the SNCV of the common peroneal nerve in the treatment group was (42.73 ± 4.28) m/s,which was significantly higher than (39.57 ± 3.65) m/s in the control group (t =3.552,P =0.000).The median nerve SNCV of the treatment group was (46.98 ± 3.47) m/s,which had no statistically significant difference compared with that of the control group [(45.79 ± 3.56) m/s] (t =1.513,P =0.134).The shortest F wave latent period velocity of the tibial nerve in the treatment group was (45.82 ±4.12) m/s,which was significantly higher than (42.68 ± 3.25) m/s in the control group(t =3.784,P =0.000).The two groups had no obvious adverse reactions during treatment.Conclusion Mecobalamin Zusanli acupoint injection combined with α-lipoic acid intravenous infusion in the treatment of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy is effective and safe,and it is worthy of promoting.
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In a one-step fermentation system of vitamin C production with Gluconobacter oxydans and Ketogulonicigenium vulgare, a functional module of α-lipoic acid biosynthesis was constructed in G. oxydans. The engineered G. oxydans was co-cultured with K. vulgare to enhance the growth and 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (2-KGA) production of K. vulgare. This one-step fermentation system alleviated the growth inhibition during the mono-culture of K. vulgare and strengthened the interaction between the two bacteria. Moreover, the yield of vitamin C precursor (2-KGA) increased to 73.34 g/L (the control group was 59.09 g/L), and the conversion of D-sorbitol to 2-KGA increased to 86.0%. This study provides a new idea for further optimizing the one-step fermentation system of vitamin C production.
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Ascorbic Acid , Fermentation , Gluconobacter oxydans , Rhodobacteraceae , Thioctic AcidABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on systolic blood pressure (SBP), renal oxidant-antioxidant status and renal damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and SHR administered with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Methods: Male rats were divided into four groups (SHR, SHR+ALA, SHR+L-NAME, SHR+ALA+L-NAME). The respective group of rats was administered with ALA (100 mg/kg/day) from age 4 weeks to 28 weeks and L-NAME (25 mg/kg/day) from age 16 weeks to 28 weeks. SBP was measured every two weeks and twenty four hour urine was collected at 4 weeks, 16 weeks and 28 weeks for estimation of protein, creatinine and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase. At the end of 28 weeks, rats were sacrificed and blood and kidneys collected for assessment of blood creatinine, kidney thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, protein carbonyls, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione disulfide, glutathione, total antioxidant status and nitric oxide as well as histopathological examination. Results: ALA supplementation significantly reduced SBP of SHR and SHR+L-NAME rats when compared to their respective non-supplemented groups. Renal oxidant status markers including thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyls were significantly reduced on SHR and SHR+L-NAME rats supplemented with ALA at 28 weeks as well as ALA supplementation significantly increased renal antioxidants including superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione and glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio at 28 weeks. No significant change in nitric oxide levels was observed between the ALA supplemented and non-supplemented groups. Renal dysfunction was ameliorated on ALA supplementation as evidenced by significant reduction in urine protein levels, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity and significant increase of creatinine clearance in SHR and SHR+L-NAME at 28 weeks. Renal histopathological examination showed that ALA supplementation prevented vascular damage in SHR and ameliorated glomerular damage in SHR+L-NAME at 28 weeks. Conclusions: ALA has hypotensive and renoprotective effects on both SHR and SHR+L-NAME, which could be due to its ability to ameliorate oxidative stress in the kidneys.
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OBJECTIVE： To evaluate the clinical efficacy and economics of α-lipoic acid injection alone or combined with Mecobalamin injection versus Mecobalamin injection in the adjunctive treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy （DPN）. METHODS： Retrieved from PubMed， Cochrane Library， Embase， CNKI， VIP， CBM and Wanfang database， using “mecobalamin” “α-lipoic acid” and“diabetic peripheral neuropathy”as Chinese retrieval words， “Thioctic acid” “α-lipoic acid” “Methylcobal” “Mecobalamin” “Diabetic peripheral neuropathy” as English retrieval words， relevant randomized controlled trials （RCTs） were collected during the date of database establishment to Aug. 30th， 2018. Meta-analysis was conducted for total response rate. From the perspective of health care providers， cost-effectiveness analysis was used for economic evaluation and sensitivity analysis was conducted by a 15％ fluctuation of cost and total response rate. RESULTS： Totally 13 RCTs were included， involving 1 131 patients. The results of Meta-analysis showed that the total response rate of two-drug combination therapy in the treatment of DPN was higher than that of mecobalamin alone [RR＝1.41， 95％CI（1.28， 1.55）， P＜0.000 01]； that of α-lipoic acid injection alone in the treatment of DPN was higher than that of mecobalamin injection alone [RR＝1.35， 95％CI（1.25，1.47）， P＜0.000 01]， with statistical significance. Results of cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the cost-effectiveness ratio （CER） of Mecobalamin injection was 211.38 yuan， and CER of two-drug combination and α-lipoic acid injection alone were 1 484.42 and 1 383.49 yuan， respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） were 4 589.52 and 4 638.82 yuan， which were all lower than per capita GDP in 2017. Sensitivity analysis showed that the cost-effectiveness analysis results kept stable. CONCLUSIONS： Compared with Mecobalamin injection， α-lipoic acid injection combined with Mecobalamin injection in the adjunctive treatment of DPN show high total response rate and economics.
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Objective: To investigate the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on systolic blood pressure (SBP), renal oxidant-antioxidant status and renal damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and SHR administered with N
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Aim: To investigate the effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on Notch2, TLR4, NLRP3 and inflammatory factor expression in renal tissues of diabetes mellitus(DM) rats, and to explore its possible mechanism of anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis by Alpha lipoic acid. Methods: The diabetic rat model was established by streptozotocin. The rats were divided into two groups; the DM group and ALA group. Meanwhile, and another eight rats were used as normal control (NC group). After eight weeks, the rats were sacrificed to detect the relevant biochemical parameters and oxidative stress indexes. In addition, immunohistochemical staining was employed to detect the protein expression localization sites of Notch2, TLR4 and NLRP3. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of Notch2, TLR4, NLRP3 and collagen FV proteins in renal tissues. ELISA was utilized to detect the inflammatory factor expression of IL-6 and TNF-α. Results: Compared with NC group, the levels of blood glucose, 24h urine protein, total cholesterol and triglyceride all increased in DM group, and the activity of T-AOC was reduced whereas MDA content was up-regulated in DM group, all items but blood glucose were significantly reduced in ALA group, and the activity of T-AOC remarkably increased, while MDA content was reduced in ALA group. Compared with NC group, the protein levels of Notch2, TLR4, NLRP3 and collagen IV in kidneys were raised, and the inflammatory factor expression of IL-6 and TNF-α significantly increased in DM group. Conclusions: ALA may down-regulate the inflammatory signal of TLR4 and NLRP3 in kidney of diabetic rats, and reduce the expression of inflammatory factor and the accumulation of extracellular matrix via inhibiting the expression of Notch2 at protein level.
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<p><b>Objective</b>To study the protective effect of lipoic acid (LA) on the spermatogenic function of the male rats with oligoasthenozoospermia induced by ornidazole (ORN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy male SD rats were equally randomized into groups A (solvent control: 1 ml 0.5% CMC-Na + 1 ml olive oil), B (low-dose ORN model: 400 mg/kg ORN suspension + 1 ml olive oil), C (low-dose ORN + low-dose LA treatment: 400 mg/kg ORN + 50 mg/kg LA), D (low-dose ORN + high-dose LA treatment: 400 mg/kg ORN + 100 mg/kg LA), E (high-dose ORN model: 800 mg/kg ORN suspension + 1 ml olive oil), F (high-dose ORN + low-dose LA treatment: 800 mg/kg ORN + 50 mg/kg LA), and G (high-dose ORN + high-dose LA treatment: 800 mg/kg ORN + 100 mg/kg LA), and treated respectively for 20 successive days. Then all the rats were sacrificed and the weights of the body, testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle obtained, followed by calculation of the organ index, determination of epididymal sperm concentration and motility, and observation of the histomorphological changes in the testis and epididymis by HE staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with group A, group E showed significantly decreased body weight (［117.67 ± 11.53］ vs ［88.11 ± 12.65］ g, P < 0.01) and indexes of the testis (［1.06 ± 0.12］ vs ［0.65 ± 0.13］ %, P < 0.01) and epididymis (［0.21 ± 0.03］ vs ［0.17 ± 0.01］ %, P < 0.01). In comparison with group E, group F exhibited remarkable increases in the epididymal index (［0.17 ± 0.01］ vs ［0.20 ± 0.02］ %, P < 0.01), and so did group G in the body weight (［88.11 ± 12.65］ vs ［102.70 ± 16.10］ g, P < 0.05) and the indexes of the testis (［0.65 ± 0.13］ vs ［0.95 ± 0.06］ %, P < 0.01) and epididymis (［0.17 ± 0.01］ vs ［0.19 ± 0.02］ %, P < 0.05), but no obvious difference was observed in the index of seminal vesicle among different groups. Compared with group A, group B manifested significant decreases in sperm motility (［74.12 ± 8.73］ vs ［40.25 ± 6.08］ %, P < 0.01), and so did group E in sperm count (［38.59 ± 6.40］ vs ［18.67 ± 4.59］ ×105/100 mg, P < 0.01) and sperm motility (［74.12 ± 8.73］ vs ［27.58 ± 8.43］ %, P < 0.01). Sperm motility was significantly lower in group B than in C and D (［40.25 ± 6.08］ vs ［58.13 ± 7.62］ and ［76.04 ± 8.44］%, P < 0.01), and so were sperm count and motility in group E than in F and G (［18.67 ± 4.59］ vs ［25.63 ± 9.66］ and ［29.92 ± 4.15］ ×105/100 mg, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01; ［27.58 ± 8.43］ vs ［36.56 ± 11.08］ and ［45.05 ± 9.59］ %, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). There were no obvious changes in the histomorphology of the testis and epididymis in groups A, B, C and D. Compared with group A, group E showed necrotic and exfoliated spermatogenic cells with unclear layers and disorderly arrangement in the seminiferous tubules and remarkably reduced sperm count with lots of noncellular components in the epididymal cavity, while groups F and G exhibited increased sperm count in the seminiferous tubules and epididymis lumen, also with exfoliation, unclear layers and disorderly arrangement of spermatogenic cells, but significantly better than in group E.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LA can reduce ORN-induced damage to the spermatogenetic function of rats, improve sperm quality, and protect the reproductive system.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Antioxidants , Pharmacology , Asthenozoospermia , Drug Therapy , Body Weight , Epididymis , Oligospermia , Drug Therapy , Ornidazole , Random Allocation , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Seminal Vesicles , Seminiferous Tubules , Sperm Count , Sperm Motility , Spermatogenesis , Spermatozoa , Testis , Thioctic Acid , PharmacologyABSTRACT
Objective To investigate whether the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondria of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) can inhibit the high salt-induced hypertension response.Methods A total off 32 male rats were divided into two groups:two groups were given normal salt diet (0.3％ NaCl) for 8 weeks (n=16) and high salt diet (8％ NaCl) for 8 weeks (n=16,induced hypertension model) respectively.The two groups were divided into four groups,two groups were given α-lipoic dissolving in 0.9％ normal saline (60 mg/kg),two groups were fed with saline for 9 weeks.There were ffour groups:the experimental group (n=8,the hypertension model sample fed α-lipoic acid),the model group (n=8,the hypertension model sample fed saline),the control group (n=8,normal salt diet sample fed α-lipoic acid) and the blank control group (n=8,normal salt diet sample ffed saline).Monitored the change of the arterial pressure and detected the expression off superoxide by immunofluorescence at the end of the experiment,measured the expression of NAD(P)H NOX2,NOX4 and Cu/Zn-SOD in RVLM by Western blot;determined the expression differences of oxidative stress related substances such as mitochondrial malondialdehyde(MDA)in RVLM by ELISA.Results The mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the experimental group was lower than that in the model group,the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05);in the experimental group and the model group the intensities of fluorescent-labled dihydroethidium(DHE) were 60.2±3.1,99.1±3.8;the numbers of positive neurons in Cu/Zn-SOD were 20.8±1.1,6.9 ± 1.2;the numbers of NOX2 positive neurons were 12.3 ± 3.5,25.1 ±5.4;the numbers of NOX4 positive neurons were 10.1±2.2,13.3±4.1,the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).Western blot showed that the NOX2 levels of the experimental group and the model group were 78.9 ± 2.0,112.7 ± 3.8;the levels of NOX4 were 63.2± 2.1,99.4 ± 1.7.The levels of Cu/Zn-SOD in RVLM of the experimental group and the model group were 19.7 ±1.6,10.3± 1.2,the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05);the levels of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD) were (33.1±3.8),(15.2±1.7)U/mg,the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).The levels of mitochondrial glutathione (GSH) in the experimental group and the model group were (5.2±0.9),(2.3±0.5)μmol/g;the levels of norepinephrine (NE) were (325.8 ± 7.3),(467.9 ± 6.1) pg/mL,the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).Conclusion α-lipoic acid could decrease the expression of NOX2,NOX4 and the bioenergy of mitochondria enzyme,and increase the intracellular antioxidant ability in the RVLM during the development of hypertension to inhibit the oxidative stress response in the development of hypertension.
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Objective To study the expression of lipoic acid synthase(LIAS)in the liver and kidney of Leprdb/db mice with deficient leptin receptor. Methods Eight 10-week old male Leprdb/ +mice and Leprdb/dbmice were included in this study. The body weight of rats in the two groups was measured. Fasting blood glucose(FPG)was measured with blood glucose test strips for all mice after fasting for 8 hours. Blood samples were obtained from the abdominal aorta and the animals were sacrificed. The liver and kidney were weighed. The right lobe of liver and the left kidney samples were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for pathological examination. Serum samples were separated and the sereum contents of CHO, TG,HDL and LDL were detected. The mitochondria of liver and kidney tissues were extracted with a mitochondrial isolation kit, and the protein was extracted. The expression of LIAS protein was detected by western blot. Results Histopathological observation showed that the liver and kidney tissues of Leprdb/ +mice have intact and clear structure. But the liver tissue of Leprdb/dbmice showed fatty degeneration, the kidney tissue showed glomerular hypertrophy, basement membrane thickening, mesangial area widened, including mesangial cells and mesangial matrix increased. The GLU,CHO,TG,LDL and AST of Leprdb/dbmice were significantly increased compared with those of Leprdb/ +mice(P<0.05). Compared with Leprdb/ +mice,the LIAS protein expression was significantly increased in the liver and kidney mitochondria of Leprdb/dbmice(P<0.05). Conclusions There is impaired glucose and lipid metabolism in the Leprdb/dbmice which has defect leptin receptor,and the expression of LIAS protein in liver and kidney of the Leprdb/dbmice is higher than that of Leprdb/ +mice.
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Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring antioxidant in human body and has been widely used as an antioxidant clinically.Accumulating evidence suggests that α-lipoic acid might have immunomodulatory effects on either adaptive or innate immune system.This Review focuses on the evidence and potential targets involved of the immunomodulatory effects of α-lipoic acid.It highlights that α-lipoic acid may have beneficial effects in conjunction with the current treatment of autoimmune diseases once the immunomodulatory effects can be confirmed by further investigation.