Effects of Alpha-Lipoid Acid on Serum Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity and Hematological Indices in β-Thalassemia Major Patients: A Cross Over Clinical Trial

Background and Objectives: Accumulation of iron is the most common consequences of repeated blood transfusions in β-thalassemia major patients. Iron chelating effects of alpha-lipoic acid have been reported by several studies. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid, as a chelator, on serum iron and hematological indices in these patients.  Materials & Methods: Twenty-two β-thalassemia major patients were selected to receive 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid or placebo capsules for 8 w. After a 3-week washout period, order of intervention was replaced as patients who previously received placebo were administered the supplement vise versa for another 8 w. At the end of the study, changes in serum iron, total iron binding capacity and hematological parameters between the treatments were assessed. Results: Serum concentrations of iron and total iron binding capacity and hematological parameters did not change within the supplementation (p > 0.05). Changes in iron, total iron binding capacity and hematological indices were not significantly different between the two interventions (p > 0.05). White blood cell counts in placebo use increased significantly in males (p = 0.04). The mean corpuscular hemoglobin in placebo patients decreased significantly in all patients and males (p = 0.02 for both). Conclusion: Results of this study revealed that alpha-lipoic acid supplementation included no beneficial effects on iron, total iron binding capacity and hematological indices in β-thalassemia major patients. Further studies with more participants and longer times are indispensable.