Title:α-Lipoic Acid and its Role on Female Reproduction
Volume: 22
Issue: 11
Author(s): Fiorella Di Nicuolo*, Roberta Castellani, Carlo Ticconi, Giovanni Scambia, Alfredo Pontecorvi and Nicoletta Di Simone
Affiliation:
- Istituto Scientifico Internazionale Paolo VI, ISI, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
Keywords:
α-Lipoic acid (ALA), endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), miscarriage, recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), inflammation.
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.
