Since alpha lipoic acid is and iron binder .. and since phlebotomy /
bloodletting lowers insulin resistance .. this study would give credence to the
thesis  .. bloodletting IS an EFFECTIVE .. antioxidant ..

http://tinyurl.com/ytod2

Diabetes Obes Metab. 2004 May;6(3):200-7.  Related Articles, Links  

 
Influence of alpha-lipoic acid on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence
system in blood of insulin-resistant rats.

Thirunavukkarasu V, Anuradha CV.

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University,
Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India.

BACKGROUND: High fructose feeding induces insulin resistance and
hyperinsulinaemia in rats. A role for oxidative stress in the occurrence of
insulin resistance has been suggested by several workers. AIM: The aim of this
study was to investigate the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on
oxidant-antioxidant balance in rats fed on a high-fructose diet that showed
characteristic features of insulin resistance. METHODS: Male Wistar rats
weighing 150-170 g were divided into seven groups. The control group received
the control diet containing starch. The fructose group was given a
high-fructose diet (>60% of total calories). The third and fourth groups were
given fructose diet and were administered two different doses of LA at a low
dose (35 mg/kg body weight) and high dose (70 mg/kg body weight) using olive
oil as vehicle. The fifth group received fructose diet and olive oil. The sixth
group received control diet and was administered LA (70 mg/kg body weight).
And, the seventh group received the control diet and olive oil. Products of
lipid peroxidation and activities of enzymic antioxidants, namely superoxide
dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and
glutathione reductase, in red blood cells were assayed. Levels of non-enzymic
antioxidants alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione were
determined in plasma. RESULTS: The levels of lipid peroxides, diene conjugates
and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were significantly higher in
fructose-fed rats. Inadequate antioxidant system was observed in
high-fructose-fed rats. Treatment of fructose rats mitigated the imbalance
between peroxidation and antioxidant defence system at both the doses tested.
Increases in glucose, triglycerides, free fatty acids, insulin and insulin
resistance were observed in fructose-fed rats. LA administration prevented
these alterations and improved insulin sensitivity. Significant positive
correlations were obtained between insulin resistance and lipid peroxidation
indices. CONCLUSIONS: Increased lipid peroxidation and deficient antioxidant
system are observed in high-fructose-fed rats. LA administration preserves the
antioxidant system and lowers lipid peroxidation. The findings suggest an
interrelationship between lipid peroxidation and insulin resistance.

PMID: 15056128 [PubMed - in process]

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