α-Lipoic acid, an anti-obesity agent?

Abstract

Obesity shortens life expectancy and is a risk factor for hypertension and Type 2 diabetes. When added to the standard chow of Sprague-Dawley or Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, α-lipoic acid (0.5% weight/weight) reduced body weight and food intake. α-Lipoic acid also increased whole-body energy expenditure. It exerts its effects by suppressing hypothalamic AMP-activated protein kinase. Long-term studies to determine whether these anti-obesity effects are maintained in animals are required before α-lipoic acid is considered for clinical trial in human obesity.

• α-lipoic acid
• AMP-activated protein kinase
• body weight
• obesity
• Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats