Authors: Smith A.R.; Shenvi S.V.; Widlansky M.; Suh J.H.; Hagen T.M.

Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 11, Number 9, May 2004 , pp. 1135-1146(12)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

-Lipoic acid (LA), a naturally occurring dithiol compound, has long been known as an essential cofactor for mitochondrial bioenergetic enzymes. Aside from its enzymatic role, in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that LA also acts as a powerful micronutrient with diverse pharmacologic and antioxidant properties. Pharmacolo-gically, LA improves glycemic control, polyneuropathies associated with diabetes mellitus, and effectively mitigates toxicities associated with heavy metal poisoning. As an antioxidant, LA directly terminates free radicals, chelates transition metal ions (e.g. iron and copper), increases cytosolic glutathione and vitamin C levels and prevents toxicities associated with their loss. These diverse actions suggest that LA acts by multiple mechanisms both physiologically and pharmacologically, many of which are only now being explored. Herein, we review the known biochemical properties of LA with particular reference to how LA may be an effective agent to ameliorate certain pathophysiologies of many chronic diseases.

Keywords: lipoic acid; dihydrolipoic acid; diabetes; signal transduction; dithiol; oxidative stress; antioxidants; polyneuropathy; redox; metal chelation

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867043365387

Affiliations: 1: Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics and the Linus Pauling Institute, 571 Weniger Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA.

Publication date: 2004-05-01

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• Current Medicinal Chemistry covers all the latest and outstanding developments in medicinal chemistry and rational drug design. Each issue contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of the current topics in medicinal chemistry. Current Medicinal Chemistry is an essential journal for every medicinal chemist who wishes to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important developments.

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