Thursday June 19, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in the May 6, 2014 issue of Neuroimmunomodulation shows that supplementation with lipoi acid as an antioxidant can help improve cytokine profiles in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

For the study, 52 relapsing-remitting MS patients aged 18 to 52 years were randomly assigned to receive either lipoic acid in a dose of 1200 mg per day or placebo for 12 weeks.

MS patients supplemented with lipoic acid significantly reduced concentrations of INF-γ, ICAM-1, TGF-β and IL-4, compared with those who did not receive lipoic acid.

But lipoic acid did not alter all cytokines. For instance, no significant changes were observed in TNF-α, IL-6, EDSS and MMP-9 in MS patients supplemented with or without lipoic acid.

The study concluded "The results suggested that consumption of 1,200 mg LA per day beneficially affects several inflammatory cytokines including INF-γ, ICAM-1 TGF-β and IL-4." (David Liu)

Khalili M, Azimi A, Izadi V, Eghtesadi S, Mirshafiey A, Sahraian MA, Motevalian A, Norouzi A, Sanoobar M, Eskandari G, Farhoudi M, Amani F.  Does Lipoic Acid Consumption Affect the Cytokine Profile in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial.  Neuroimmunomodulation. 2014 May 6.