Alpha-lipoic acid increases cardiac glucose oxidation independent of AMP-activated protein kinase in isolated working rat hearts.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring enantiomer of lipoic acid and is a cofactor of key metabolic enzyme complexes catalyzing the decarboxylation of alpha-keto acids. It was recently shown that ALA increases insulin sensitivity by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in skeletal muscle. Also, administration of ALA to obese rats increases insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in the whole body.