α-Lipoic Acid and its Role on Female Reproduction

Fiorella Di Nicuolo, Di Nicuolo F, Roberta Castellani, Castellani R, Carlo Ticconi, Giovanni Scambia, Alfredo Pontecorvi, Nicoletta Di Simone
Current protein & peptide science · 2021 · doi:10.2174/1389203722666211029102417 · PMID:34719371
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This review assessed the evidence for α-lipoic acid's beneficial role in gynecological and obstetrical diseases, including PCOS, endometriosis, and miscarriage, based on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

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This review evaluates the potential therapeutic role of alpha-lipoic acid in gynecological and obstetrical disorders, focusing on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic properties. The authors examine evidence regarding its efficacy in treating conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and miscarriage by modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. While the paper highlights promising mechanisms for improving reproductive health outcomes, it serves primarily as a summary of existing literature rather than presenting new clinical trial data. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically discussing alpha-lipoic acid as a possible therapeutic approach to address the inflammation and oxidative stress associated with the condition.

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Abstract

α-lipoic Acid (ALA), also known as thioctic acid, is a biological thiol present in all types of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. It has been shown that ALA or its reduced form, DHLA, has several positive effects on human health, acting as a biological antioxidant, metal chelator and detoxifying agent. It is able to reduce the oxidation of several antioxidant agents like glutathione, vitamins C and E, and modulate insulin and NF-kB signaling pathways. ALA's pharmacological effects are not only related to its antioxidant properties but it shows an anti-inflammatory action. In particular, ALA is able to reduce inflammasome activity, the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and IL-17, interferon (INF)-γ as well as the production of Vascular and Intercellular cell adhesion protein (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1). In recent papers, ALA has been indicated as a possible therapeutic approach to several endocrine or inflammatory disorders affecting female reproduction. Aim of the current review was to assess whether ALA has an evidence- based beneficial role on gynecological and obstetrical diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and miscarriage.
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Abstract

α-lipoic Acid (ALA), also known as thioctic acid, is a biological thiol present in all types of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. It has been shown that ALA or its reduced form, DHLA, has several positive effects on human health, acting as a biological antioxidant, metal chelator and detoxifying agent. It is able to reduce the oxidation of several antioxidant agents like glutathione, vitamins C and E, and modulate insulin and NF-kB signaling pathways. ALA’s pharmacological effects are not only related to its antioxidant properties but it shows an anti-inflammatory action. In particular, ALA is able to reduce inflammasome activity, the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and IL-17, interferon (INF)-γ as well as the production of Vascular and Intercellular cell adhesion protein (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1). In recent papers, ALA has been indicated as a possible therapeutic approach to several endocrine or inflammatory disorders affecting female reproduction. Aim of the current review was to assess whether ALA has an evidence- based beneficial role on gynecological and obstetrical diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and miscarriage.

Keywords

α-Lipoic acid (ALA), endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), miscarriage, recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), inflammation. 74

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Antioxidants Antioxidants Antioxidants Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Thioctic Acid Thioctic Acid Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Animals Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Cytokines Cytokines Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female

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