The Efficacy of Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Improving Oxidative, Inflammatory, and Mood Status in Women With Episodic Migraine in a Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Publisher Pubmed

Summary: Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, & mood disorders in women with episodic migraine. #Migraine #Antioxidants

Rezaei Kelishadi M¹ ; Alavi Naeini A¹ ; Askari G¹ ; Khorvash F² ; Heidari Z³
Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice Published:2021

Abstract

Aim: Migraine is a common neurovascular disorder, which is associated with severe to moderate disabling headaches. Oxidative stress and inflammation might play a role in migraine pathogenesis and the mood disorders. Considering the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), this study was designed to investigate its effect on oxidative, inflammatory, and mood conditions in women with episodic migraine. Methods: In total, 92 women with episodic migraine participated in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, receiving a 300-mg capsule of ALA or placebo twice daily for 3 months. To assess the oxidative and inflammatory status, the serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidative stress index (OSI), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. A depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS-21-items) questionnaire was used to evaluate mood status. Results: Finally, 79 patients reached the final analysis stage. At the end of the intervention, a significant decrease in the serum levels of MDA (means difference [MD]: −0.83, 95% confidence intervals (CI): −1.04, −0.62 nmol/mL vs MD: −0.32, CI: −0.48, −0.15 nmol/mL; P <.001) and CRP (MD: −0.78, CI: −1.17, −0.39 mg/L vs MD: −0.63, CI: −1.80, 0.52 mg/L; P <.001) was observed in the ALA as compared with the placebo group, but changes in serum GSH (P =.086), TAC (P =.068), TOS (P =.225), and OSI (P =.404) were not statistically significant. In addition, depression, anxiety, and stress (with P <.001, in all cases) had significantly decreased in the intervention as compared with the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that ALA supplementation for 3 months has beneficial effects on improving the oxidative, inflammatory, and mood conditions of patients suffering from episodic migraine. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd