| a-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) is a co-factor in mitochondrial complexes involved in oxidative decarboxylation. It is recycled easily between its oxidised form and reduced form (dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA)), in the presence of NADH or NADPH by three separate enzymes (glutathione reductase, thioredoxin reductase and lipoamide dehydrogenase)1. In vivo a -lipoic acid/DHLA is bound in the mitochondria, but it can function in lipid and aqueous tissues and cross the blood brain barrier, so its beneficial effects are available throughout the body. Diabetes results in high reductive and oxidative stress, both of which can be helped by effects of a -lipoic acid/DHLA2. |