J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2019 Feb 16;45(2):313-317. Epub 2018 Oct 16.
Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Aim: Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a short chain fatty acid which has a key role in energy production. ALA is also known as a universal antioxidant. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of ALA supplementation in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
Methods: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial study was designed. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (n = 60) during 24-28 weeks of gestation were selected and divided randomly into drug (n = 30) and placebo (n = 30) groups. Drug group supplemented with ALA (100 mg/day) for 8 weeks. The biochemical markers were measured before and after the intervention and considered significant at a P-value less than 0.05.
Results: Maternal circulating values of fasting blood sugar (P < 0.001), gamma-glutamyltransferase (P < 0.001) and alanine transaminase (P = 0.031) were decreased in the drug group after the intervention. However, values of urea, creatinine, uric acid, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were not changed significantly after the trial.
Conclusion: The present study has shown that supplementation with 100 mg/day of ALA had some beneficial effects on glucose metabolism and liver function in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.