Acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid: possible neurotherapeutic agents for mood disorders?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18491985

Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2008 Jun;17(6):827-43.
Acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid: possible neurotherapeutic agents for mood disorders?
Soczynska JK, Kennedy SH, Chow CS, Woldeyohannes HO, Konarski JZ, McIntyre RS.
Source

University of Toronto, Institute of Medical Science, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:

Mood disorders are associated with decrements in cognitive function, which are insufficiently treated with contemporary pharmacotherapies.
OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the putative neurotherapeutic effects of the mitochondrial cofactors, L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and alpha-lipoic acid; and to provide a rationale for investigating their efficacy in the treatment of neurocognitive deficits associated with mood disorders.
METHODS:

A PubMed search of English-language articles published between January 1966 and March 2007 was conducted using the search terms carnitine and lipoic acid.
RESULTS:

L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid may offer neurotherapeutic effects (e.g., neurocognitive enhancement) via disparate mechanisms including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulation. Preliminary controlled trials in depressed geriatric populations also suggest an antidepressant effect with acetyl-L-carnitine.
CONCLUSIONS:

L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid are pleiotropic agents capable of offering neuroprotective and possibly cognitive-enhancing effects for neuropsychiatric disorders in which cognitive deficits are an integral feature.

PMID:
18491985



ON EDIT TO ADD:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15820492
Clin Chim Acta. 2005 May;355(1-2):173-80.
Oxidative stress on mitochondrial antioxidant defense system in the aging process: role of DL-alpha-lipoic acid and L-carnitine.
Savitha S, Tamilselvan J, Anusuyadevi M, Panneerselvam C.
Source

Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr. ALMPG. Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Madras, Taramani, Chennai 600113, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:

Oxidative damage is hypothesized to accumulate throughout the lifetime of an organism, eventually giving rise to aging. The mitochondria may be the primary cellular source and target of endogenous ROS as they are produced as a normal byproduct of the electron transport system.
METHODS:

Male albino Wistar rats were used in this study. The animals were divided into 6 groups, each group consisting of 6 animals. Groups I, III, and V were young, middle-aged and aged control rats and Groups II, IV, and VI were treated with carnitine (300 mg/kg bw) and dl-alpha-lipoic acid (150 mg/kg bw), respectively. After the treatment period, the animals were sacrificed and the heart and skeletal muscle were removed for analysis.
RESULT:

There was a significant reduction in the levels of antioxidants in both middle-aged and aged rats whereas the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were found to be increased. Co-supplementation of carnitine and lipoic acid improved the antioxidant status and brought down the levels of TBARS.
CONCLUSION:

Co-supplementation of lipoic acid with carnitine has a beneficial effect in reversing the age-related abnormalities seen in aging. This effect was associated with the decrease in free radical production and rise in antioxidant levels by carnitine and lipoic acid, thereby lowering oxidative stress.

PMID:
15820492

ALC at the normal dose is very effective for a burst of mental alertness, but raises blood pressure and I have had to stop taking it, messes with my BP meds.

The "usual" dose is far below the amounts studied for mood disorders.

Oxidative damage can be addressed by many other supplements/vitamins, btw. Vit E, folic acid, Vit A,
most of the vitamins we should be finding in healthy food are good antioxidants.

'Course, there is the issue now of finding "healthy" food, since most agr-business farming depends on depleted and overly chemicalized soil.

ago I heard a lecture describing the removal or at least reduction of proanthocyanidins from the skin of oranges (by making them seedless) and these molecules are one of the gems that make pycnogenol able to do what it can. Please tell me if you know if this is true... it could help explain why toying with nature is not a good idea.

However, what I DO know, addressing your point about "toying with nature" is that foods, and herbal medicines in their whole state,
contain a combination of elements which work synergistically, so that they balance and enhance each other.
All this mad hunt by Big Pharma to "isolate" the particular element of a fruit/plant and then copy and sell the result, is not a good
idea at all.

One of my biggest soapboxes, I am afraid.

http://www.naturalnews.com/021655_grape_seeds_seed_extract.html


What you need to know - Alternative View

Statements and opinions by Mike Adams

• Grape seeds contains remarkable natural medicine with greater safety and efficacy than any pharmaceutical for treating cardiovascular disorders.

• Grape seed extract is ignored by drug companies because, being a natural substance, it cannot be patented and sold for profit. But with natural health practitioners, it is well known as powerful medicine.

• Chewing grape seeds is a natural way to consume more proanthocyanidins. Seek out grapes with seeds, and chew the seeds. (They're crunchy.)

• Isn't it interesting that our food supply has been stripped of the natural medicine in grapes through the promotion of seedless grapes? In many grocery stores, it's impossible to find grapes with seeds. This is what denies the public access to healing nutrients that can protect them from heart disease, cancer, inflammation and other health problems.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/021655_grape_seeds_seed_extract.html#ixzz1R9dLibgP

from herb sites.
Yes, I agree. REAL food is healthy. WHOLE food is healthy.

good site, btw.

Studies have been done on both with regard to diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and on preventing neuropathies caused by cancer drugs, including those used when treating breast cancer.

Look for the newsletter archives that are arranged by health topic.

http://qualitycounts.com/newsletter/index.htm