Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and high sensitive-C reactive protein in patients with early diabetic nephropathy

Objective To investigate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid on serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and high sensitive-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in patients with early diabetic nephropathy (DN).Methods A total of 61 patients with early DN were randomized into treatment group (n =31 ) and control group ( n =30 ).The two groups were both treated with dietary control and oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin.Meanwhile,the treatment group was additionally given alpha-lipoic acid 300 mg/d by intravenous infusion for 20 days.The levels of sICAM-1 and hs-CRP in each group were detected.Results The levels of sICAM-1 and hs-CRP were decreased significantly in alpha-lipoic acid treatment group after 20 days of therapy ( [ 198.03 ±23.67] μg/L vs [271.17 ±34.66] μg/L,[5.16 ±0.43] mg/Lvs [7.95 ±0.88]mg/L,P ＜0.01 ).Conclusion alpha-lipoic acid may decrease the expression of slCAM-1 and hs-CRP,and that may be one of the mechanisms to postpone the progress of early DN. Key words: Diabetic nephropathy;  Alpha-lipoic acid;  Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-l; High sensitive- C reactive protein