The synergic effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation and electrical isotonic contraction on anthropometric measurements and the serum levels of VEGF, NO, sirtuin-1, and PGC1-α in obese people undergoing a weight loss diet

• Published in: Archives of physiology and biochemistry Vol. 128; no. 5; pp. 1195 - 1201
• Main Authors: Mohammadshahi, Majid, Zakizadeh, Elahe, Ahmadi-Angali, Kambiz, Ravanbakhsh, Majid, Helli, Bijan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 03.09.2022
• Subjects: Alpha-lipoic acid; BMI; body fat; isotonic contraction; Sirtuin 1; VEGF; weight; Sirtuin 1; VEGF; Alpha-lipoic acid; weight; isotonic contraction; BMI; body fat
• ISSN: 1381-3455; 1744-4160; 1744-4160
• DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2020.1762660

Background: The anti-obesity effects of Alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) and isotonic contraction has been reported. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 1200 mg/day α-LA supplementation and 3 sessions per week of Faradic (an electrical stimulating system) on anthropometric parameters, body composition, VEGF, Sirtuin-1, nitric oxide (NO), and PGC1-α in obese people undergoing a weight loss regime. Methods: This randomised clinical trial was carried out on 100 obese adults. The subjects were randomly assigned to four groups of 25 subjects including Faradic, α-LA, α-LA + Faradic, and control. A Bio Impedance Analyser (BIA) was used to estimate anthropometric measurements including weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and fat free mass. The serum levels of Sirtuin-1, PGC1-α, VEGF, and NO levels were measured. All measurements were done at baseline and after 8 weeks of the intervention. Results: A significant weight reduction was observed in all four groups compared to baseline (p<.01). The placebo group had significantly higher weight, BMI, weight circumstance (WC), and body fat (BF) compared with the other groups. The α-LA + Faradic group had significantly lower weight, BMI, BF, WC than control, faradic, and α-LA groups and higher, Sirtuin and PGC than the control group (all p < .05). Conclusions: The findings indicated that the α-LA and Faradic interventions may have a synergistic effect on weight, BMI, BF, WC, and SLM, possibly through changes in serum level of VEGF, NO, and PGC. Further studies are warranted to clarify the mutual effects of -α-LA and Faradic on obesity and its molecular mechanisms. Name of the registry: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Trial registration number: IRCT20131117015424N2 Date of registration: 04/04/2018 URL of trial registry record: https://www.irct.ir/search/result?query=IRCT20131117015424N2