r-ALA activity on glucose uptake/insulin receptors

[HUCKLEBERRY FINNaplex]

R-alpha-lipoic acid action on cell redox status, the insulin receptor, and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Moini H, Tirosh O, Park YC, Cho KJ, Packer L.

Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.

The insulin signaling pathway has been reported to mediate R-alpha-lipoic acid- (R-LA-)-stimulated glucose uptake into 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes. We investigated the role of the thiol antioxidant dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) and intracellular glutathione (GSH) in R-LA-stimulated glucose transport and explored the hypothesis that R-LA could increase glucose uptake into 3T3-L1 adipocytes in an oxidant-mimetic manner. R-LA pretreatment of 3T3-L1 cells stimulated glucose transport at early time points (30 min - 6 h), whereas it inhibited glucose uptake at later time points. Analysis of the oxidized and reduced content of LA in cells and medium showed that >90% of lipoic acid present was in its oxidized form. Furthermore, all oxidized forms of LA (S-, R-, and racemic LA) stimulated glucose uptake, whereas the reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid, was ineffective. Intracellular GSH levels were not changed at the early time points (before 12 h), while longer preincubation (24 - 48 h) of cells with R-LA significantly increased intracellular GSH. Pretreatment of adipocytes with R-LA increased intracellular peroxide levels at early time points (30 min - 6 h), after which it was decreased (12 - 48 h). R-LA also increased tyrosine phosphorylation of immunoprecipitated insulin receptors from 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results indicate that (i) 3T3-L1 adipocytes have a low capacity to reduce R-LA and the oxidized form of lipoic acid is responsible for stimulating glucose uptake, (ii) R-LA modulates glucose uptake by changing the intracellular redox status, and (iii) the insulin receptor is a potential cellular target for R-LA action. (c)2002 Elsevier Science.

[Ceebs]

So in plain English, "it's good stuff"? :D

It's not my intention to sound like a shill here, but truly and honestly, I think r-ALA is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Taking it, I notice a big difference not only in my blood sugar, but how carbohydrates affect me in general. I went through puberty pretty overweight, and despite losing a significant amount of bodyfat and gaining muscle in my later teen years, I always had terrible insulin sensitivity. With r-ALA, I finally feel "normal".

[HUCKLEBERRY FINNaplex]

Yep,it truly is a godsend.The vast majority of americans in general,due to a carbohydrate-based availability of foods,has developed insulin abnormalaties.r-ALA is helping to bring back our glucose metabolisms to where they belong,and where they were before the giant carbohydrate push began in our society.It is the right compound at the right time.

[JJ]

I used it for the first time last night during a very high carb refeed (~700 g), all high GI. I took 1500 mg R-ALA, spread out during my refeed to equal 100 mg per 50 g of carb intake. I also took 50 mg Biotin/100 mg R-ALA. I woke up this morning with very little subq water retention, no bloat, and no carb hangover. I also didn't experience that seratonin crash during my refeed - with my last refeed, I had to take a nap in the middle of it because I crashed so hard.

The only side effect I noticed was waking up in the middle of the night extremely parched. I drank about 12 ounces of water and went back to bed, and am fine this morning.

[Worrow9187badass]

it ake r-Ala.. but only 100 to 200mg at a time.. typically no more then 500mg per day.

One time I took the regular ALA, 1000mg, and it seemed to make me tired as hell the next day.

[MS]

Hmmm, then again, I've heard that ALA, though it increases uptake of glucose, inhibits glycogen synthesis via it PRO-oxidant capacity. Is it yet another two-edged sword????

[superspider]

r-ala is 3times stronger then ala, I would take it while bulking and cutting.