Alpha lipoic acid, an antioxidant, is manufactured by your body and used by every cell to convert glucose into energy. It has been used to treat a variety of health conditions, including some liver disorders. Research on the benefits of alpha lipoic acid for liver health has produced some promising preliminary results. Consult your doctor before using alpha lipoic acid to treat a liver condition.
Cirrhosis
Alpha lipoic acid's antioxidant effects may benefit the liver, according to a study published in the March 2011 issue of the journal "Toxicology." In the study on laboratory animals, alpha lipoic acid supplementation prevented the development of cirrhosis -- a condition whereby the liver becomes scarred and accumulates fat deposits -- and decreased levels of liver enzymes that indicate stress on the liver. The researchers concluded that alpha lipoic acid may provide liver-protective benefits.
Comparison Study
Alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C and the antioxidant resveratrol showed significant but different liver-protective effects, in a study published in the 2010 issue of the journal "Redox Report: Communications in Free Radical Research." In the tissue culture study, alpha lipoic acid increased levels of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase -- an important molecule the liver uses for detoxification and also improved energy efficiency in the liver. Resveratrol increased levels of superoxide dismutase -- another important enzyme with antioxidant functions in the liver -- and vitamin C increased activity of both enzymes.
Leukemia
Alpha lipoic acid protects the liver from damaging effects of chemotherapy drugs used to treat leukemia, according to a study published in the July 2010 issue of the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology." Use of the drug methotrexate reduces glutathione levels, stressing the liver's detoxification processes and impairing energy production. Alpha lipoic acid, which works within the energy producing parts of cells, showed marked ability to alleviate damage to that area and preserve healthy liver function.
Tuberculosis
The journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology" published a report in its July 2010 issue on benefits of alpha lipoic acid for treatment of liver toxicity in tuberculosis. Long-term use of antibiotics to treat tuberculosis caused stress and damage to the liver in some people. In laboratory animals, alpha lipoic acid significantly reduced elevated liver enzymes -- a sign of liver stress. When scientists administered alpha lipoic acid along with the drug aminoguanidine, levels of three antioxidant enzymes increased. The researchers also noted that alpha lipoic acid lowered liver lipid levels.
References
- "Toxicology"; Lipoic Acid Inhibits Liver Fibrosis through the Attenuation of ROS Triggered Signaling in Hepatic Stellate Cells Activated by PDGF and TGF-?; Foo NP, et al.; 2011
- "Redox Report"; Vitamin C, Resveratrol and Lipoic Acid Actions on Isolated Rat Liver Mitochondria: All Antioxidants but Different. Valdecantos MP, et al.; 2010
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Protective Effect of Lipoic Acid against Methotrexate Induced Oxidative Stress in Liver Mitochondria. Tabassum H, et al.;2010
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Role of Oxidative Stress and Nitric Oxide in the Protective Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid and Aminoguanidine against Isoniazid Rifampicin Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats. Saad EI, et al.; 2010
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