Previous studies have shown that ALA and its reduced form
dihydrolipoic acid have an amphiphilic property that allows them to easily cross the blood brain barrier and cell membranes and helps to activate other antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, and ubiquinone [1, 28].
(10, 11) ALA and its derivative
dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) quench a number of reactive oxygen species in both lipid and aqueous phases, chelate transition metals, prevent membrane lipid peroxidation along with protein damage via interactions with vitamin C and glutathione and thus they are considered as potent antioxidants.
Alpha-lipoic acid is a hydrophilic and lipophilic acid that can be synthesized by plants and animals where it is metabolized to
dihydrolipoic acid when captured by the cells [144].
Huge interest has been garnered in recent times on the antioxidant properties of a-LA and its reduced form
dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA).
Alpha-lipoic acid (LA) and its reduced form,
dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), have received widespread attention as antioxidants with both preventative and therapeutic uses in humans and laboratory animals.
In addition to cellular energy production, lipoic acid and its reduced form,
dihydrolipoic acid, are potent antioxidants that both directly and indirectly scavenge reactive oxygen species, free radicals, and peroxides that cause widespread oxidative stress and cellular damage.
Contrarily, the mechanisms underlying LA effects do not seem to involve direct oxidant scavenging, considering the low rate constants of their direct reactions with this cyclic disulfide or its reduction product
dihydrolipoic acid (24).
Cakatay, "Redox homeostasis of albumin in relation to alpha-lipoic acid and
dihydrolipoic acid," Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, vol.
(12) As an added benefit, it has also been demonstrated to significantly decrease the levels of Hemoglobin A1C (p<0.05), (13) Additionally, both lipoic acid and
dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), the reduced form of lipoic acid, have metal chelating capabilities.
Hence, the peak obtained with copper(n) present is considered to be as a result of the reducing reaction of the copper(I) complex formed with
dihydrolipoic acid [8].