Alpha-lipoic acid and antioxidant diet help to improve endothelial dysfunction in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A pilot trial

After evaluating the prevalence of early endothelial dysfunction,as measured by means of reactive hyperemia in adolescents with type 1 diabetes,we started a 6-month,double-blind,randomized trial to test the efficacy of an antioxidant diet (± alpha-lipoic acid supplementation) to improve endothelial dysfunction. seventy-one children and adolescents,ages 17 ± 3.9 yrs,with type 1 diabetes since 9.5 ± 5.3 yrs,using intensified insulin therapy,were randomized into 3 arms: (a) antioxidant diet 10.000 orac + alpha-lipoic acid; (b) antioxidant diet 10.000 orac + placebo; (c) controls. bmi,blood pressure,fasting lipid profile,hba1c,insulin requirement,dietary habits,and body composition were determined in each patient. an antioxidant diet significantly improved endothelial dysfunction when supplemented with alpha-lipoic acid,unlike diet with placebo or controls. a significant reduction in bolus insulin was also observed. we speculate that alpha-lipoic acid might have an antioxidant effect in pediatric diabetes patients by reducing insulin. © 2015 andrea scaramuzza et al.