The Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid on Blood Pressure in Type 2 Diabetics

Majority of diabetic patients eventually develop hypertension. Becase of its antioxidative properties, alpha-lipoic acid plays an effective role in decreasing oxidative stress and preventing endothelium dysfunction. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of alpha-lipoic acid on blood pressure in type 2 diabetic patients. Fifty-seven type 2 diabetic patients (14 male and 43 female), mean age 53.5 years, were enrolled in this study. Upon arrival subjects were randomly divided into either the experimental (n=29) or control (n=28) groups. The experimental group received 300 mg alpha-lipoic acid daily for eight weeks, while the control group received a placebo for eight weeks. Blood pressure and 24 hours diet recall were measured at the beginning of the study and every two weeks after that. The results of the study showed a significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures at the end of study in the alpha lipoic acid group compared to their initial values (p<0/0001), and to the control group (p=0/001). This study suggests that alpha-lipoic acid supplements can be recommended for type 2 diabetic patients to prevent high blood pressure.