Abstract
The clinical and experimental effects of lipoic acid, dihydrolipoic acid and thiamine-8-(methyl-6-acetyldihydrothioctate) disulfide (TATD) have been investigated. Dihydrolipoic acid lowers the oxgen consumption and basal metabolic rate in the hyperthyroidic patient. Lipoic acid decreases the oxygen consumption and basal metabolic rate in the diabetic patient. A large dose of lipoic acid or a moderate dose of dihydrolipoic acid lowers the acetylating potency. TATD is hydrolysed in the presence of cell membrane into its components, thiamine and dihydrolipoic acid, and the former is mainly found in the cell, while the latter remains in the medium. On the oral administration of TATD, dihydrolipoic acid appears in the blood of portal vein. Dihydrolipoic acid inhibits the oxydative glycolysis of pyruvic acid in the liver. Intravenous injection of dihydrolipoic acid or TATD aggravates the galactose tolerance. Thus, a great care has to be taken by the clinical use of these drugs, concerning the dosage and the method of administration.
