Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), cardiovascular disease risk, and end stage renal disease:
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) may improve cardiovascular risk in patients with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis (HD). In a study by Chang et al, ALA reduce asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a naturally occurring chemical found in blood that stops the production of nitric oxide (NO). ADMA is considered a cardiovascular risk factor in diabetic patients with end stage renal disease on HD. Patients (n=53) on HD 3 times a week were randomized to either ALA 600 mg/day for 12 weeks or placebo. At the end of the study, the ALA group experienced a significant reduction in blood levels of ADMA from a median of 1.68 micromoles to 1.31 micromoles. Patients in the placebo group had no change in ADMA, levels of total cholesterol, serum albumin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, or hemoglobin A1C. (6)