human
***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: OBJECTIVE To evaluate the potential body weight-lowering effects of dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) and α-lipoic acid separately or combined in healthy overweight/obese women following a hypocaloric diet . METHODS This is a short-term double-blind placebo-controlled study with parallel design that lasted 10 weeks . Of the r and omized participants , 97 women received the allocated treatment  [ Control , EPA ( 1.3 g/d ) , α-lipoic acid ( 0.3 g/d ) , and EPA+α-lipoic acid ( 1.3 g/d+0.3 g/d ) ] , and 77 volunteers completed the study . All groups followed an energy-restricted diet of 30 % less than total energy expenditure . Body weight , anthropometric measurements , body composition , resting energy expenditure , blood pressure , serum glucose , and insulin and lipid profile , as well as leptin and ghrelin levels , were assessed at baseline and after nutritional intervention . RESULTS Body weight loss was significantly higher ( P<0.05 ) in those groups supplemented with α-lipoic acid . EPA supplementation significantly attenuated ( P<0.001 ) the decrease in leptin levels that occurs during weight loss . Body weight loss improved lipid and glucose metabolism parameters but without significant differences between groups . CONCLUSIONS The intervention suggests that α-lipoic acid supplementation alone or in combination with EPA may help to promote body weight loss in healthy overweight/obese women following energy-restricted diets AIM To determine an influence of alpha-lipoic acid to reduction of body weight and regulation of total cholesterol concentration , triglycerides and glucose serum levels in obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 . METHODS A prospect i ve study includes two groups of obese patients with diabetes mellitus and signs of peripheral polyneuropathia : examined group ( 30 patients ; 15 females and 15 males ) , and control group ( 30 patients ; 12 females and 18 males ) . All were treated with metformin ( 850 - 1700 mg/day ) . Examined patients were additionally treated with alpha-lipoic acid 600 mg/day during 20 weeks . Body mass index and concentrations of total cholesterol , triglycerides and glucose in serum were compared before and after the treatment . RESULTS The group treated with 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid lost significantly more weight , and had lower triglyceride level than the control group . There were no significant differences in total cholesterol and glucose serum levels between the groups . CONCLUSION Alpha-lipoic acid of 600 mg/day treatment have influenced weight and triglycerides loss in obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 . It should be considered as an important additive therapy in obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 Weight gain and other metabolic disturbances have now become discouraging , major side effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs ( AAPDs ) . The novel strategies required to counteract these serious consequences , however , should avoid modulating the activities of the neurotransmitter receptors involved because those receptors are the therapeutic targets of AAPDs . Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase is an enzyme that plays a pivotal role in energy homeostasis . We hypothesized that & agr;-lipoic acid ( ALA ) , which is known to modulate adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activity in the hypothalamus and peripheral tissues , would ameliorate AAPD-induced  weight gain . We describe the case series of a 12-week ALA trial in schizophrenia patients treated with AAPDs . Two of 7 enrolled subjects were dropped from the study because of noncompliance and dem and for new medication to treat depressive symptoms , respectively . The mean ( SD ) weight loss was 3.16 ( 3.20 ) kg ( P = 0.043 , last observation carried forward ; median , 3.03 kg ; range , 0 - 8.85 kg ) . On average , body mass index showed a significant reduction ( P = 0.028 ) over the 12 weeks . During the same period , a statistically significant reduction was also observed in total cholesterol levels ( P = 0.042 ) , and there was a weak trend toward the reduction in insulin resistance ( homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance ) ( P = 0.080 ) . Three subjects reported increased energy subjectively . The total scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale did not vary significantly during the study . These preliminary data suggest the possibility that ALA can ameliorate the adverse metabolic effects induced by AAPDs . To confirm the benefits of ALA , more extended study is warranted BACKGROUND Short-term continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion ( CSII ) in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes has been proved effective in improving metabolic control and β-cell function , thus inducing long-term drug-free remission . A r and omized controlled trial was conducted to investigate whether CSII in combination with rosiglitazone , metformin , or α-lipoic acid separately brings about extra benefits . PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred sixty patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were r and omized to one of four treatment groups : CSII alone , CSII in combination with rosiglitazone or metformin for 3 months , or CSII with α-lipoic acid intravenous infusion for 2 weeks . Duration of CSII treatment was identical in the four groups . Glucose and lipid profiles , homeostasis model assessment ( HOMA ) indices , acute insulin response ( AIR ) , intramyocellular lipid ( IMCL ) level , and malondialdehyde level were compared before and after intervention . RESULTS The near-normoglycemia rate at the third month in CSII alone and that in combination with rosiglitazone , metformin , or α-lipoic acid was 72.5 % , 87.5 % , 90 % , and 75 % , respectively ( metformin group vs. CSII alone , P=0.045 ) . The metformin group achieved euglycemia in a shorter time ( 2.6 ± 1.3 vs. 3.7 ± 1.8 days , P=0.020 ) with less daily insulin dosage and was more powerful in lowering total cholesterol , increasing AIR and HOMA β-cell function , whereas reduction of IMCL in the soleus was more obvious in the rosiglitazone group but not in the metformin group . The efficacy of combination with α-lipoic acid was similar to that of CSII alone . CONCLUSIONS Short-term CSII in combination with rosiglitazone or metformin is superior to CSII alone , yet the efficacy of the two differs in some way , whereas that with α-lipoic acid might not have an additive effect Several studies showed that impairment of endothelium-dependent arterial dilation ( EDAD ) exists in subjects with impaired fasting glucose ( IFG ) . The crucial mechanism of this endothelial dysfunction remains unclear . We hypothesized that oxidative stress may be partially responsible for the impairment in EDAD in subjects with IFG . Thus , the present study was design ed to assess whether the antioxidant α-lipoic acid can improve endothelial dysfunction in subjects with IFG . Sixty subjects with newly diagnosed IFG and 32 healthy individuals with normal glucose tolerance were enrolled . Subjects were r and omized into 2 groups : untreated experimental group ( n = 30 ) and α-lipoic acid treatment group ( n = 30 , α-lipoic acid 600 mg via intravenous infusion once a day for 3 weeks ) . We measured EDAD at baseline and after 3 weeks of intervention . At baseline , EDADs in α-lipoic acid and untreated experimental groups were 4.03 % and 4.14 % , respectively , which were significantly lower than that in controls ( 5.72 % ) ( P < .001 ) . After 3 weeks of intervention , there was a remarkable increase in EDAD ( reaching 5.10 % ; ΔEDAD , 26.5 % ) ( P < .01 ) and a significant decrease in plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances ( TBARS ) ( 29.1 % ) ( P < .05 ) in IFG subjects treated with α-lipoic acid . Endothelium-dependent arterial dilation and TBARS remained unchanged before and after intervention in the untreated experimental group . The absolute changes in EDAD showed a significant negative correlation with the changes in TBARS ( r = -0.444 , P = .014 ) . Our data showed that IFG subjects have impaired endothelial function  and that antioxidant α-lipoic acid can improve endothelial function through a decrease of oxygen-derived free radicals The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of α-lipoic acid on body weight and lipid profiles in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high fat diet ( HFD ) .  After 4 weeks of feeding , rats on the HFD were divided into three groups by r and omized block design ; the first group received the high-fat-diet ( n = 10 ) , and the second group received the HFD administered with 0.25 % α-lipoic acid ( 0.25LA ) , and the third group received the high-fat diet with 0.5 % α-lipoic acid ( 0.5LA ) . The high fat diet with α-lipoic acid supplemented groups had significantly inhibited body weight gain , compared to that in the HFD group ( P < 0.05 ) . Organ weights of rats were also significantly reduced in liver , kidney , spleen , and visible fat tissues in rats supplemented with α-lipoic acid ( P < 0.05 ) . Significant differences in plasma lipid profiles , such as total lipids , total cholesterol , triglycerides , low-density lipoprotein , and high-density lipoprotein , were observed between the HFD and 0.5LA groups . The atherogenic index and the plasma high density lipoprotein-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio improved significantly with α-lipoic acid supplementation in a dose-dependent manner ( P < 0.05 ) . Total hepatic cholesterol and total lipid concentration decreased significantly in high fat fed rats supplemented with α-lipoic acid in a dose-dependent manner ( P < 0.05 ) , whereas liver triglyceride content was not affected . In conclusion , α-lipoic acid supplementation had a positive effect on weight gain and plasma and liver lipid profiles in rats Background and purpose Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ) is one of the causes of a fatty liver , occurring when fat is deposited ( steatosis ) in the liver not due to excessive alcohol use . It is related to insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome . The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of combination therapy with alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) and ursodeoxycholic acid ( UDCA ) on NAFLD . Methods Alpha-lipoic acid 400 mg/day plus UDCA 300 mg/day ( ALAUDCA ) was investigated in patients over a period of 12 months using a r and omized , placebo (PLA)-controlled study with four parallel groups . Serum concentration of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase ( GGT ) , alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) , aspartate aminotransferase ( AST ) , albumin and platelets ( PLT ) were measured at the beginning and at the end of the treatment . Moreover , the AST/ALT ratio and the NAFLD fibrosis score were examined . Results A total of 120 patients were r and omly assigned to the four groups . ALA and UDCA were safe and well tolerated in the oral daily administration only . AST , ALT , GGT ( p < 0.001 ) showed a significant difference between ALAUDCA and other three groups . Besides , NAFLD fibrosis score underlined a significant reduction ( p < 0.04 ) in the ALAUDCA group , while AST/ALT ratio presented a moderate decline ( p > 0.05 ) . Conclusion ALAUDCA therapy reduced AST , ALT , GGT values and improved NAFLD fibrosis score and AST/ALT ratio , especially in patients who were on a hypocaloric diet . These findings will be useful in patient selection in future clinical trials with ALAUDCA in long-term studies PURPOSE alpha-lipoic acid is an essential cofactor for mitochondrial respiratory enzymes that improves mitochondrial function . We previously reported that alpha-lipoic acid markedly reduced body weight gain in rodents . The purpose of this study was to determine whether alpha-lipoic acid reduces body weight in obese human subjects . METHODS in this r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , 20-week trial , 360 obese individuals ( body mass index [ BMI ] ≥ 30 kg/m(2 ) or BMI 27 - 30 kg/m(2 ) plus hypertension , diabetes mellitus , or hypercholesterolemia ) were r and omized  to alpha-lipoic acid 1200 or 1800 mg/d or placebo . The primary end point was body weight change from baseline to end point . RESULTS the 1800 mg alpha-lipoic acid group lost significantly more weight than the placebo group ( 2.1 % ; 95 % confidence interval , 1.4 - 2.8 ; P<.05 
    Output:
    
agent
Overall , the current meta- analysis demonstrated that ALA administration may lead to an improvement in glucose homeostasis parameters and lipid profiles except HDL-cholesterol levels
***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: OBJECTIVE To evaluate the potential body weight-lowering effects of dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) and α-lipoic acid separately or combined in healthy overweight/obese women following a hypocaloric diet . METHODS This is a short-term double-blind placebo-controlled study with parallel design that lasted 10 weeks . Of the r and omized participants , 97 women received the allocated treatment  [ Control , EPA ( 1.3 g/d ) , α-lipoic acid ( 0.3 g/d ) , and EPA+α-lipoic acid ( 1.3 g/d+0.3 g/d ) ] , and 77 volunteers completed the study . All groups followed an energy-restricted diet of 30 % less than total energy expenditure . Body weight , anthropometric measurements , body composition , resting energy expenditure , blood pressure , serum glucose , and insulin and lipid profile , as well as leptin and ghrelin levels , were assessed at baseline and after nutritional intervention . RESULTS Body weight loss was significantly higher ( P<0.05 ) in those groups supplemented with α-lipoic acid . EPA supplementation significantly attenuated ( P<0.001 ) the decrease in leptin levels that occurs during weight loss . Body weight loss improved lipid and glucose metabolism parameters but without significant differences between groups . CONCLUSIONS The intervention suggests that α-lipoic acid supplementation alone or in combination with EPA may help to promote body weight loss in healthy overweight/obese women following energy-restricted diets AIM To determine an influence of alpha-lipoic acid to reduction of body weight and regulation of total cholesterol concentration , triglycerides and glucose serum levels in obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 . METHODS A prospect i ve study includes two groups of obese patients with diabetes mellitus and signs of peripheral polyneuropathia : examined group ( 30 patients ; 15 females and 15 males ) , and control group ( 30 patients ; 12 females and 18 males ) . All were treated with metformin ( 850 - 1700 mg/day ) . Examined patients were additionally treated with alpha-lipoic acid 600 mg/day during 20 weeks . Body mass index and concentrations of total cholesterol , triglycerides and glucose in serum were compared before and after the treatment . RESULTS The group treated with 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid lost significantly more weight , and had lower triglyceride level than the control group . There were no significant differences in total cholesterol and glucose serum levels between the groups . CONCLUSION Alpha-lipoic acid of 600 mg/day treatment have influenced weight and triglycerides loss in obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 . It should be considered as an important additive therapy in obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 Weight gain and other metabolic disturbances have now become discouraging , major side effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs ( AAPDs ) . The novel strategies required to counteract these serious consequences , however , should avoid modulating the activities of the neurotransmitter receptors involved because those receptors are the therapeutic targets of AAPDs . Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase is an enzyme that plays a pivotal role in energy homeostasis . We hypothesized that & agr;-lipoic acid ( ALA ) , which is known to modulate adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activity in the hypothalamus and peripheral tissues , would ameliorate AAPD-induced  weight gain . We describe the case series of a 12-week ALA trial in schizophrenia patients treated with AAPDs . Two of 7 enrolled subjects were dropped from the study because of noncompliance and dem and for new medication to treat depressive symptoms , respectively . The mean ( SD ) weight loss was 3.16 ( 3.20 ) kg ( P = 0.043 , last observation carried forward ; median , 3.03 kg ; range , 0 - 8.85 kg ) . On average , body mass index showed a significant reduction ( P = 0.028 ) over the 12 weeks . During the same period , a statistically significant reduction was also observed in total cholesterol levels ( P = 0.042 ) , and there was a weak trend toward the reduction in insulin resistance ( homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance ) ( P = 0.080 ) . Three subjects reported increased energy subjectively . The total scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale did not vary significantly during the study . These preliminary data suggest the possibility that ALA can ameliorate the adverse metabolic effects induced by AAPDs . To confirm the benefits of ALA , more extended study is warranted BACKGROUND Short-term continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion ( CSII ) in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes has been proved effective in improving metabolic control and β-cell function , thus inducing long-term drug-free remission . A r and omized controlled trial was conducted to investigate whether CSII in combination with rosiglitazone , metformin , or α-lipoic acid separately brings about extra benefits . PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred sixty patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were r and omized to one of four treatment groups : CSII alone , CSII in combination with rosiglitazone or metformin for 3 months , or CSII with α-lipoic acid intravenous infusion for 2 weeks . Duration of CSII treatment was identical in the four groups . Glucose and lipid profiles , homeostasis model assessment ( HOMA ) indices , acute insulin response ( AIR ) , intramyocellular lipid ( IMCL ) level , and malondialdehyde level were compared before and after intervention . RESULTS The near-normoglycemia rate at the third month in CSII alone and that in combination with rosiglitazone , metformin , or α-lipoic acid was 72.5 % , 87.5 % , 90 % , and 75 % , respectively ( metformin group vs. CSII alone , P=0.045 ) . The metformin group achieved euglycemia in a shorter time ( 2.6 ± 1.3 vs. 3.7 ± 1.8 days , P=0.020 ) with less daily insulin dosage and was more powerful in lowering total cholesterol , increasing AIR and HOMA β-cell function , whereas reduction of IMCL in the soleus was more obvious in the rosiglitazone group but not in the metformin group . The efficacy of combination with α-lipoic acid was similar to that of CSII alone . CONCLUSIONS Short-term CSII in combination with rosiglitazone or metformin is superior to CSII alone , yet the efficacy of the two differs in some way , whereas that with α-lipoic acid might not have an additive effect Several studies showed that impairment of endothelium-dependent arterial dilation ( EDAD ) exists in subjects with impaired fasting glucose ( IFG ) . The crucial mechanism of this endothelial dysfunction remains unclear . We hypothesized that oxidative stress may be partially responsible for the impairment in EDAD in subjects with IFG . Thus , the present study was design ed to assess whether the antioxidant α-lipoic acid can improve endothelial dysfunction in subjects with IFG . Sixty subjects with newly diagnosed IFG and 32 healthy individuals with normal glucose tolerance were enrolled . Subjects were r and omized into 2 groups : untreated experimental group ( n = 30 ) and α-lipoic acid treatment group ( n = 30 , α-lipoic acid 600 mg via intravenous infusion once a day for 3 weeks ) . We measured EDAD at baseline and after 3 weeks of intervention . At baseline , EDADs in α-lipoic acid and untreated experimental groups were 4.03 % and 4.14 % , respectively , which were significantly lower than that in controls ( 5.72 % ) ( P < .001 ) . After 3 weeks of intervention , there was a remarkable increase in EDAD ( reaching 5.10 % ; ΔEDAD , 26.5 % ) ( P < .01 ) and a significant decrease in plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances ( TBARS ) ( 29.1 % ) ( P < .05 ) in IFG subjects treated with α-lipoic acid . Endothelium-dependent arterial dilation and TBARS remained unchanged before and after intervention in the untreated experimental group . The absolute changes in EDAD showed a significant negative correlation with the changes in TBARS ( r = -0.444 , P = .014 ) . Our data showed that IFG subjects have impaired endothelial function  and that antioxidant α-lipoic acid can improve endothelial function through a decrease of oxygen-derived free radicals The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of α-lipoic acid on body weight and lipid profiles in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high fat diet ( HFD ) .  After 4 weeks of feeding , rats on the HFD were divided into three groups by r and omized block design ; the first group received the high-fat-diet ( n = 10 ) , and the second group received the HFD administered with 0.25 % α-lipoic acid ( 0.25LA ) , and the third group received the high-fat diet with 0.5 % α-lipoic acid ( 0.5LA ) . The high fat diet with α-lipoic acid supplemented groups had significantly inhibited body weight gain , compared to that in the HFD group ( P < 0.05 ) . Organ weights of rats were also significantly reduced in liver , kidney , spleen , and visible fat tissues in rats supplemented with α-lipoic acid ( P < 0.05 ) . Significant differences in plasma lipid profiles , such as total lipids , total cholesterol , triglycerides , low-density lipoprotein , and high-density lipoprotein , were observed between the HFD and 0.5LA groups . The atherogenic index and the plasma high density lipoprotein-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio improved significantly with α-lipoic acid supplementation in a dose-dependent manner ( P < 0.05 ) . Total hepatic cholesterol and total lipid concentration decreased significantly in high fat fed rats supplemented with α-lipoic acid in a dose-dependent manner ( P < 0.05 ) , whereas liver triglyceride content was not affected . In conclusion , α-lipoic acid supplementation had a positive effect on weight gain and plasma and liver lipid profiles in rats Background and purpose Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ) is one of the causes of a fatty liver , occurring when fat is deposited ( steatosis ) in the liver not due to excessive alcohol use . It is related to insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome . The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of combination therapy with alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) and ursodeoxycholic acid ( UDCA ) on NAFLD . Methods Alpha-lipoic acid 400 mg/day plus UDCA 300 mg/day ( ALAUDCA ) was investigated in patients over a period of 12 months using a r and omized , placebo (PLA)-controlled study with four parallel groups . Serum concentration of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase ( GGT ) , alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) , aspartate aminotransferase ( AST ) , albumin and platelets ( PLT ) were measured at the beginning and at the end of the treatment . Moreover , the AST/ALT ratio and the NAFLD fibrosis score were examined . Results A total of 120 patients were r and omly assigned to the four groups . ALA and UDCA were safe and well tolerated in the oral daily administration only . AST , ALT , GGT ( p < 0.001 ) showed a significant difference between ALAUDCA and other three groups . Besides , NAFLD fibrosis score underlined a significant reduction ( p < 0.04 ) in the ALAUDCA group , while AST/ALT ratio presented a moderate decline ( p > 0.05 ) . Conclusion ALAUDCA therapy reduced AST , ALT , GGT values and improved NAFLD fibrosis score and AST/ALT ratio , especially in patients who were on a hypocaloric diet . These findings will be useful in patient selection in future clinical trials with ALAUDCA in long-term studies PURPOSE alpha-lipoic acid is an essential cofactor for mitochondrial respiratory enzymes that improves mitochondrial function . We previously reported that alpha-lipoic acid markedly reduced body weight gain in rodents . The purpose of this study was to determine whether alpha-lipoic acid reduces body weight in obese human subjects . METHODS in this r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , 20-week trial , 360 obese individuals ( body mass index [ BMI ] ≥ 30 kg/m(2 ) or BMI 27 - 30 kg/m(2 ) plus hypertension , diabetes mellitus , or hypercholesterolemia ) were r and omized  to alpha-lipoic acid 1200 or 1800 mg/d or placebo . The primary end point was body weight change from baseline to end point . RESULTS the 1800 mg alpha-lipoic acid group lost significantly more weight than the placebo group ( 2.1 % ; 95 % confidence interval , 1.4 - 2.8 ; P<.05 
    Output:
    