Alpha-lipoic Acid Reduces Left Ventricular Mass in Normotensive Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Alpha-lipoic Acid Reduces Left Ventricular Mass in Normotensive Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Cardiovascular complications account for the highest mortality in type 2 diabetic patients, mainly due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Most of the attention in treating CAD in type 2 diabetes is understandably directed toward treating coronary artery conditions. However there are other treatable culprits in these patients.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is widespread in type 2 diabetic patients with CAD, even in the absence of hypertension. It is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Regression of LVH has been associated with an improved prognosis, independent of change in blood pressure (BP). Therefore, cardiovascular events and mortality in type 2 diabetes with CAD might will be reduced if the investigators can find novel therapies to regress LVH.

Alpha-lipoic acid reduces oxidative stress which then regresses LVH. Alpha-lipoic acid can improve endothelial function in diabetic conditions. Hence, the main aim of this study was to assess whether alpha-lipoic acid could regress LVM in type 2 diabetic patients with CAD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Type 2 diabetes
• CAD
• Left ventricular hypertrophy
• HbA1c below 7.0%
• blood pressure <130/80 mmHg

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients were excluded if they were currently alpha-lipoic acid for one year, had a previous adverse reaction to alpha-lipoic acid.
• hey were also excluded if they had renal and liver dysfunction, heart failure, or malignancy, or were unable to give informed consent.
• Patients with contraindications to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) (pacemakers, claustrophobia) were also excluded, as were pregnant or lactating women.