Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic Neuropathy

DefinitionDiabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by long-standing diabetes mellitus. It results directly from prolonged high blood sugar levels.PathophysiologyThe pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy involves both metabolic and vascular disturbances triggered by chronic hyperglycemia.Metabolic injury: Elevated glucose levels activate the polyol pathway within nerve cells, leading to the accumulation of sorbitol and fructose. This increases oxidative stress, disrupts normal nerve...

Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Definition A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a chronic, non-healing wound that develops in individuals with diabetes. It typically occurs on pressure-bearing areas such as the heel, metatarsal heads, or hallux, and carries a high risk of infection and amputation.Pathophysiology • The development of DFUs can be explained by four interconnected mechanisms: neuropathy, ischemia, infection, and impaired wound healing. • Neuropathy is the most common factor. Sensory neuropathy reduces pain perception,...

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy

DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones

Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood glucose levels...

Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic Nephropathy

Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...

Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A Seven-Year Study of Carbapenem-Resistant <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> Bloodstream Infections in a Tertiary Hospital in Greece: A Shift Toward Metallo-β-Lactamase and Dual Carbapenemase Strains.

Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

25-Hydroxyvitamin D<sub>3</sub> metabolism modulates the effect of variable UV exposure on 25-hydroxyvitamin D<sub>3</sub> plasma concentrations.

Communications medicine·2026

Same author

Climate Change, Air Pollution and the Global Obesity Syndemic: a Review of Current Evidence.

Current obesity reports·2025

Same author

A case report of co-isolation of Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Candida albicans from blood cultures of an elderly woman with diabetes mellitus.

The new microbiologica·2025

Same author

Ultra-Processed Foods and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: What Is the Evidence So Far?

Biomolecules·2025

Same author

Cardiac Troponin Levels in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: "Markers of High Risk or Just Noise''?

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Mouse Electroacupuncture Fixation Device Fabrication for Electroacupuncture Pretreatment in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model

Mouse Electroacupuncture Fixation Device Fabrication for Electroacupuncture Pretreatment in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model

Published on: April 18, 2025

Alpha-lipoic Acid and diabetic neuropathy.

Natalia Vallianou¹, Angelos Evangelopoulos, Pavlos Koutalas

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Polykliniki General Hospital, 3 Pireos Str., 10552 Athens, Greece.

The Review of Diabetic Studies : RDS

|January 1, 2010

Summary

Alpha-lipoic acid may help delay or reverse diabetic neuropathy by acting as an antioxidant. Clinical trials show 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid improves nerve function in diabetic patients.

Area of Science:

Neurology
Endocrinology
Biochemistry

Background:

Diabetic neuropathy is a significant public health issue characterized by peripheral nerve dysfunction in diabetic individuals.
Pathogenesis involves the polyol pathway, leading to sorbitol accumulation and reduced Na+-K+-ATPase activity.
Endoneurial microvascular damage and hypoxia, driven by nitric oxide inactivation and free radical activity, also contribute.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the role of alpha-lipoic acid in managing diabetic neuropathy.
To explore the relationship between alpha-lipoic acid and auto-oxidative glycosylation.
To discuss the impact of alpha-lipoic acid on hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and nerve hypoxia.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on pathogenetic mechanisms of diabetic neuropathy.

More Related Videos

Effects of Mindfulness Training Combined with Tai Chi in Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Effects of Mindfulness Training Combined with Tai Chi in Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Published on: July 14, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Mouse Electroacupuncture Fixation Device Fabrication for Electroacupuncture Pretreatment in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model

Mouse Electroacupuncture Fixation Device Fabrication for Electroacupuncture Pretreatment in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model

Published on: April 18, 2025

Effects of Mindfulness Training Combined with Tai Chi in Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Effects of Mindfulness Training Combined with Tai Chi in Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Published on: July 14, 2023

Analysis of alpha-lipoic acid's antioxidant properties and effects on endogenous antioxidants like glutathione.

Examination of clinical trial data regarding alpha-lipoic acid efficacy.

Main Results:

Alpha-lipoic acid demonstrates potent antioxidant properties, potentially delaying or reversing diabetic neuropathy.
Treatment increases reduced glutathione levels, a key endogenous antioxidant.
Clinical trials indicate that 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid improves neuropathic deficits.

Conclusions:

Alpha-lipoic acid shows promise in mitigating hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and preventing the glycation process.
Its antioxidant actions may counteract nerve hypoxia and improve nerve function in diabetic neuropathy.
Further research into alpha-lipoic acid's therapeutic potential for diabetic neuropathy is warranted.