5-aminolevulinic acid, a precursor of heme, reduces both fasting and postprandial
glucose levels in mildly hyperglycemic subjects.
Author(s): Higashikawa F(1), Noda M, Awaya T, Tanaka T, Sugiyama M.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)Project Research Center for Clinical Trial and Preventive Medicine, Graduate
School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
Publication date & source: 2013, Nutrition. , 29(7-8):1030-6
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of
5-aminolevulinic acid phosphate (ALA-P) and iron on the glycemic index in mildly
hyperglycemic adults.
METHODS: This double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial comprised 212
subjects (ages 35-70 y, fasting plasma glucose 105-125 mg/dL or hemoglobin
(Hb)A1c 6.1%-7.1%). These participants were randomly assigned to four groups
receiving either one of three doses of ALA-P and iron as sodium ferrous citrate
(5 mg and 0.6 mg, 5 mg and 1.8 mg, or 15 mg and 1.8 mg, respectively) or a
placebo, administered orally once a day over a 12-wk period.
RESULTS: Fifteen mg ALA-P plus 1.8 mg iron decreased the fasting plasma glucose
level (2.32 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-4.42, P = 0.029), serum
glycoalbumin (0.22%, 95% CI, 0.02-0.42; P = 0.031), and 2h-oral glucose tolerance
test levels (14.2 mg/dL, 95% CI, 1.8-26.6; P = 0.025) more than the placebo.
However, the levels of HbA1c, fasting insulin, serum 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol, and
Homeostasis Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance showed no appreciable changes.
The participant numbers with impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting
glucose decreased in the highest dosage group of ALA-P plus iron compared with
the placebo group.
CONCLUSION: An oral intake of ALA would be a novel approach to prevent type 2
diabetes mellitus.
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