Lipoic acid appears to reset and synchronize circadian rhythms -
The researchers found a possible explanation for the surprisingly wide range of biological effects that are related to a micronutrient called lipoic acid: It appears to reset and synchronize circadian rhythms, or the "biological clock" in most life forms.
capacity of lipoic acid to help restore a more normal circadian rhythm for aging animals may explain its apparent value in so many important biological functions, ranging from resistance to stress in heart function , hormonal balance, muscle performance, glucose metabolism and the aging process.
the findings were made by biochemists of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, and published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications , a professional journal. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, through the National Alternative and Complementary Medicine Center.
Lipoic acid has been the subject in recent years of research increasingly by scientists around the world who continue to find previously unknown effects of this micronutrient. As an antioxidant and essential compound for aerobic metabolism, it is located in higher levels in organ meats and leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli.
"This could be a breakthrough in our understanding of why lipoic acid is so important and how it works," said Tory Hagen, Professor Helen P. Rumbel health for Aging Research at the Linus Pauling Institute, and professor of biochemistry and biophysics at OSU college of science.
"circadian rhythms are -NIGHT day cycles that affect the daily ebb and flow of critical biological processes" Hagen said. "the more we improve our understanding of them, the more we find ourselves involved in many aspects of life."
Nearly a third of all genes are influenced by circadian rhythms, and when out of balance they can play a role in cancer, heart disease, inflammation, imbalance hormone and many other areas, OSU researchers said.
Of particular importance is the dysfunction of circadian rhythms with age.
"In older animals, including elderly humans, it is well known that circadian rhythms break down and some enzymes do not function as effectively or as well as they should," said Dove Keith, associate researcher at the Linus Pauling Institute and lead author of the study.
"This is very important, and probably deserves much more study it becomes," said Keith. "If lipoic acid provides a way to help synchronize and restore circadian rhythms, it could be very important. "
in this case, the scientists studied the" circadian clock "of the liver. the metabolism of lipids by the liver is relevant to the normal use of energy, metabolism and when dysfunctional may help contribute to the "metabolic syndrome" that puts millions of people at higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
the fed researchers in laboratory animals more levels high levels of lipoic acid that could be achieved in a normal diet, while monitoring protein known to be affected by the disruption of the circadian clock in aged animals.
They found that the lipoic acid helped clean up a portion of liver dysfunction that is often common in old age, and significantly improved the function of their circadian rhythms.
in previous research, scientists have found that the amount of lipoic acid could help normal liver function and lipid was equivalent to about 0 milligrams per day for a human 150 books, more than this could typically be obtained through the diet.
A primary objective of the research at the Linus Pauling Institute and the OSU Center for Research Healthy Aging is to promote what scientists call "healthspan" - not only the opportunity to live a long life, but to have relatively healthy and normal activities in almost all of his life. Research lipoic acid, at OSU and elsewhere suggests that it has value to achieve this.
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