The relationship between alanerv(®) consumption and erythrocytes' redox status in post-acute stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVES

Stroke is a pathological condition associated with a redox imbalance. Both the acute and the post-acute phases after a stroke are characterized by a pro-oxidant state, which could be corrected through antioxidant supplementation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the ALAnerv(®) upon the redox status of erythrocytes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For this pilot study were enrolled 28 post-acute stroke patients. They were randomly divided into a control group [(-) ALA] and a study group [(+) ALA]. Patients were hospitalized for a period of two weeks. Blood samples were taken at the beginning and at the end of this period. Patients from (+) ALA group received the nutritional supplement ALAnerv(®). Catalase, SOD, GPx, GRed and GT activities were assessed on erythrocytes' lysates. Also, the total antioxidant capacity as well as the concentration of total thiols were evaluated.

OUTCOMES

During the study period only SOD (1393.48 ± 69.14 U/g Hb vs. 1514.06 ± 60.80) and GRed (4.47 ± 0.37 U/g Hb vs. 5.06 ± 0.24) significantly increased in (+) ALA group. Catalase (173.70 ± 14.62 k/g Hb vs. 123.41 ± 8.71) and GT (5.55 ± 0.26 U/g Hb vs. 4.95 ± 0.23) activities significantly decreased during the study period. Multiple regression indicated that only SOD, GT and GRed activities were influenced by the ALAnerv(®) consumption. There was no significant increase if the total thiols concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

ALAnerv(®) consumption could be associated with a correction of the erythrocytes' redox status. There is a need to investigate if administration of ALAnerv(®) over a longer time period could have a more significant influence on the erythrocytes' antioxidant system.