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

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.