The effects of lipoic acid and α-tocopherol supplementation on the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

de et al., 2011 | Diabetes Res Clin Pract | Rct

Citation

de Oliveira Andreia Madruga, Rondó Patrícia Helen Carvalho, ... Illison Vanessa Kristine. The effects of lipoic acid and α-tocopherol supplementation on the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2011-May;92(2):253-60. doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2011.02.010

Abstract

Antioxidants probably play an important role in the etiology of type 2 diabetes (DM2). This study evaluated the effects of supplementation with lipoic acid (LA) and α-tocopherol on the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity of DM2 patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 102 DM2 patients divided into four groups to receive daily supplementation for 4 months with: 600 mg LA (n = 26); 800 mg α-tocopherol (n = 25); 800 mg α-tocopherol + 600 mg LA (n = 25); placebo (n = 26). Plasma α-tocopherol, lipid profile, glucose, insulin, and the HOMA index were determined before and after supplementation. Differences within and between groups were compared by ANOVA using Bonferroni correction. Student's t-test was used to compare means of two independent variables. The vitamin E/total cholesterol ratio improved significantly in patients supplemented with vitamin E+LA and vitamin E alone (p ≤ 0.001). There were improvements of the lipid fractions in the groups receiving LA and vitamin E alone or in combination, and on the HOMA index in the LA group, but not significant. The results suggest that LA and vitamin E supplementation alone or in combination did not affect the lipid profile or insulin sensitivity of DM2 patients.

Key Findings

The results suggest that LA and vitamin E supplementation alone or in combination did not affect the lipid profile or insulin sensitivity of DM2 patients.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 26
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin
  • Lipids
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Thioctic Acid
  • alpha-Tocopherol

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: alpha-lipoic-acid

Provenance


Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-10