LIPOIC ACID AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL.

Khalili, Mohammad; Eskandari, Ghazaleh; Ghajarzadeh, Mahsa; Azimi, Amirreza; Eghtesadi, Shahryar; Sahraian, Mohamad Ali; Motevallan, Abbas; Hashemi, Hasan; Mirshafiey, Abbas; Norouzi, Abbas

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of lipoic acid on disease severity and fatigue experience in cases of multiple sclerosis. Fifty multiple sclerosis patients were randomly assigned to lipoic acid or placebo groups. Lipoic acid (1200mg/day) or placebo was administered to the two groups for three months. All subjects were asked to fill out valid and reliable Persian version of FSS (fatigue severity scale) questionnaires, were evaluated by neurologists and underwent MRI examinations before and after the study. Thirty-nine subjects participated in the study. Demographic characteristics, (EDSS) Expanded Disability Status Scale and FSS were not significantly different between the two groups at baseline. No significant differences between EDSS and FSS of the two groups after placebo or supplement applications were observed. In comparison with baseline, the EDSS scores did not decrease significantly in either group (P value =0.06 and p value=0.8). In subjects with baseline EDSS >0, EDSS showed significant decreases in the lipoic group (p value=0. 028). Comparing MRI findings with baseline, three new enhanced plaques were observed in one control case, two new enhanced plaques were observed in one supplement case and three in the placebo group had one new enhanced plaque (p=0.1). Based on the positive results of the current study future studies with larger patient populations and longer durations are needed.

LIPOIC acid; MULTIPLE sclerosis; RANDOMIZED controlled trials; FATIGUE (Physiology); PLACEBOS; MAGNETIC resonance imaging

Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research, 2012, Vol 10, Issue 2, p95

1540-7535

Academic Journal