Alpha-lipoic Acid: Effects on the Beat-to-Beat Vectorcardiographic Parameters in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy

Objective: Relevance of cardiac autonomic neuropathy has not been fully recognized and there is no standardized treatment protocol.Aim: To evaluate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid on the beat-to-beat vectorcardiographic parameters, namely spatial QRS-T angle, QT dispersion (QTd) and corrected QT interval (QTc) in type 2 diabetes mellitus persons with cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Research designs and methods: Our study involved 33 persons with definite stage of cardiac autonomic neuropathy and diabetes mellitus type 2, which were assigned to each of two groups: one took standard antihyperglycaemic treatmen (n=15, control group) and the other (n=18) in addition to standard therapy - 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid daily for three months. The analysis of vectorcardiographic parameters was performed. Results: It was found out that alpha-lipoic acid contributed to decrease of the vectorcardiographic parameters, namely QRS-T angle, QTd and QTc. Conclusions: The positive influences of alpha-lipoic acid suggest the usefulness of its prescription to type 2 diabetes mellitus persons with definite stage of cardiac autonomic neuropathy. The efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid is the result of its direct effect on the parameters of vectorcardiography.