ABSTRACT
Introduction 283
Diabetes and Current Strategies for Its Treatment 284
Targeting the Insulin-Signaling Pathway 285
a-Lipoic Acid Improves Glucose Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes 287
a-Lipoic Acid Activates the Insulin-Signaling Pathway 288
a-Lipoic Acid Regulates Adipocyte Differentiation 290
Concluding Remarks 293
References 295
INTRODUCTION
The prevalence of diabetes is on the rise in the world population. It is estimated
that6.2% of the US population is affected by diabetes. The number of diabetics is expected to continue to increase by 4-5% per year, potentially reaching a total
of 220 million cases in 2010 worldwide. Therefore, effective interventions are
needed to prevent or cure diabetes and/or attenuate its symptoms and complications. a-Lipoic acid is a disulfide derivative of octanoic acid that forms an
intramolecular disulfide bond in its oxidized form (Fig. 13.1). High
electron density resulting from special position of the two sulfur atoms in the
1,2-dithiolane ring confers upon a-lipoic acid a high tendency for reduction of other redox-sensitive molecules according to environmental condition (1).
a-Lipoic acid has been long used in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy (2). Recent advances in our understanding of a-lipoic acid actions in muscle and fat cells in vitro and in vivo established that a-lipoic acid enhances glucose disposal and attenuates adipogenesis. These actions of a-lipoic acid are mediated by an array of signaling molecules and transcription factors that now have
become attractive targets for design of new pharmacological agents to treat
diabetes. Recent findings suggest that a-lipoic acid may emerge as an effective anti-diabetic agent that can be used as an adjunctive treatment in type 2 diabetes.
DIABETES AND CURRENT STRATEGIES FOR ITS TREATMENT
