Alpha Lipoic Acid and Insulin Resistance
Alpha Lipoic Acid and Insulin Resistance
Subjects will be screened with a 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test. After this screening
 visit, their insulin resistance will be measured. Subjects will then be given either alpha
 lipoic acid (antioxidant) or placebo for 6 weeks. The insulin resistance test will be
 repeated after the 6 weeks. We believe these studies will confirm the beneficial effect of
 alpha lipoic acid on insulin sensitivity.
We propose to perform a placebo-controlled study of Alpha Lipoic Acid (LA) administration in
 a cohort of non-obese, non-diabetic, insulin resistant subjects. The insulin sensitivity of
 180 subjects will be initially estimated by measuring fasting glucose and insulin levels
 (homeostasis model assessment) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The 60 most insulin
 resistant subjects will then be randomized to 6 weeks of therapy with either 600 mg three
 times a day of LA or placebo. To quantitate the ALA-induced improvements, euglycemic
 hyperinsulinemic clamps to evaluate insulin sensitivity, OGTT using deuterated glucose to
 evaluate glycolytic glucose disposal, and muscle biopsies to evaluate insulin signaling
 pathways, will be performed before and after treatment. We believe these studies will (1)
 confirm the beneficial effect of CR-ALA on insulin sensitivity; (2) further our understanding
 of the molecular mechanisms of LA action; and (3) because these insulin resistant subjects
 are at risk for the development of type 2 diabetes, the Metabolic Syndrome, and coronary
 artery disease (CAD), a demonstration of the beneficial effects of LA on insulin action could
 ultimately have important public health consequences.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Healthy, not exercising regularly

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Diabetes, Impaired glucose tolerance, Heart disease, Liver disease, HIV, abnormal TSH
 results, other abnormal lab values