| Background Chronic renal failure is a progressive and
irreversible loss of kidney function, and the hemodialysis
(HD) is one of the most common modalities in this regard.
Oxidative stresses [like interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor
necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a)] and inflammation are the
main risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases
and other complications in many organs in hemodialysis
patients; meanwhile, antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid
(ALA) may reduce the oxidative stress markers and the
levels of inflammatory cytokines, so can improve of the
patient’s quality of life.
Methods In this randomized clinical trial study, 60 HD
patients were randomly categorized in two case and control
groups. Case group received a daily capsule of 600 mg of
ALA supplementation for 8 weeks, and the control group
received placebo capsules daily. The serum level of IL-8
and TNF-a was measured in both groups before and after
the intervention.
Results There were no significant differences in age,
gender, duration of dialysis, and causative factor for dialysis
between both groups (P[0.05). The mean of IL-8
and TNF-a after the intervention in case group was
26.20 ± 15.34 and 21.25 ± 9.61, respectively; the difference
between both groups was not statistically significant
(P[0.05).
Conclusion Based on the better feeling and other beneficial
effects of ALA were found in our study; we can
conclude that it is a beneficial and recommended supplement,
especially, for diabetic and dialysis patients. |