Protective effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) are mediated by hormetic mechanisms.

The endogenous and dietary agent, alpha lipoic acid (ALA), is evaluated for its capacity to induce a broad spectrum of adaptive responses via hormetic dose responses and their underlying mechanisms. ALA was shown to induce hormetic effects in a wide range of experimental models within in vitro and in vivo experimental settings which included direct exposure and pre- and post-conditioning experimental protocols. The hormetic effects occur in a broad range of organ systems, including the brain, heart, kidney and other tissues, with possible public health and clinical/therapeutic applications linked to reducing the onset and progression of neurogenerative diseases and also in the preservation of sperm health and functionality during cryopreservation. This paper provides the first integrated assessment of ALA-induced hormetic dose responses. Underlying mechanisms that mediated the occurrence of ALA-induced hormetic effects involved the induction of low levels of ROS that activate key cell signaling antioxidant (e.g. Nrf2) pathways. [Display omitted] • First paper assessing capacity of ALA to induce hormetic dose responses. • ALA was shown to induce hormetic effects in a wide range of experimental models. • Experiments included direct exposure and pre- and post-conditioning protocols. • ALA induced protective effects via hormesis in a broad range of tissues/cell types. • Mechanisms involving low levels of ROS activate key cell signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]