Alpha-lipoic Acid Reduces Left Ventricular Mass in Normotensive Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Alpha-lipoic Acid Reduces Left Ventricular Mass in Normotensive Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Cardiovascular complications account for the highest mortality in type 2 diabetic patients,
 mainly due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Most of the attention in treating CAD in type 2
 diabetes is understandably directed toward treating coronary artery conditions. However there
 are other treatable culprits in these patients.

 Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is widespread in type 2 diabetic patients with CAD, even
 in the absence of hypertension. It is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events and
 all-cause mortality. Regression of LVH has been associated with an improved prognosis,
 independent of change in blood pressure (BP). Therefore, cardiovascular events and mortality
 in type 2 diabetes with CAD might will be reduced if the investigators can find novel
 therapies to regress LVH.

 Alpha-lipoic acid reduces oxidative stress which then regresses LVH. Alpha-lipoic acid can
 improve endothelial function in diabetic conditions. Hence, the main aim of this study was to
 assess whether alpha-lipoic acid could regress LVM in type 2 diabetic patients with CAD.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Type 2 diabetes

 -  CAD

 -  Left ventricular hypertrophy

 -  HbA1c below 7.0%

 -  blood pressure <130/80 mmHg

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients were excluded if they were currently alpha-lipoic acid for one year, had a
 previous adverse reaction to alpha-lipoic acid.

 -  hey were also excluded if they had renal and liver dysfunction, heart failure, or
 malignancy, or were unable to give informed consent.

 -  Patients with contraindications to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) (pacemakers,
 claustrophobia) were also excluded, as were pregnant or lactating women.