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Is α‐lipoic acid a scavenger of reactive oxygen species in vivo ? Evidence for its initiation of stress signaling pathways that promote endogenous antioxidant capacity
Author(s) -
Petersen Shay Kate,
Moreau Régis F.,
Smith Eric J.,
Hagen Tory M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.40
Subject(s) - oxidative stress , reactive oxygen species , antioxidant , reactive nitrogen species , chemistry , lipoic acid , alpha lipoic acid , biochemistry , endogeny , scavenger , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
The chemical reduction and oxidation (redox) properties of α‐lipoic acid (LA) suggest that it may have potent antioxidant potential. A significant number of studies now show that LA and its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), directly scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) species and protect cells against a host of insults where oxidative stress is part of the underlying etiology. However, owing to its limited and transient accumulation in tissues following oral intake, the efficacy of nonprotein‐bound LA to function as a physiological antioxidant has been questioned. Herein, we review the evidence that the micronutrient functions of LA may be more as an effector of important cellular stress response pathways that ultimately influence endogenous cellular antioxidant levels and reduce proinflammatory mechanisms. This would promote a sustained improvement in cellular resistance to pathologies where oxidative stress is involved, which would not be forthcoming if LA solely acted as a transient ROS scavenger. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 60(6): 362–367, 2008