Heparlipon

Heparlipon - General Information

A vitamin-like antioxidant. [PubChem]

Pharmacology of Heparlipon

Lipoic acid (or α-lipoic acid) is able to pass the blood-brain barrier and is putatively used for detoxification of mercury attached to the brain cells. It can mobilise bound mercury into the blood stream as it is a mercaptan (sulfur compound which readily binds to the mercury). In the blood stream, another chelator such as dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) or methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is used to transfer mercury safely into the urine for excretion. Neither DMSA nor MSM can cross the blood-brain barrier, which is why both lipoic acid and DMSA are used. It is hypothesized that this treatment-along with carnitine, dimethylglycine (DMG), Vitamin B6, folic acid, and magnesium—could be used to treat autism and amalgam poisoning. In this hypothesis, the reason why autism is difficult to treat is that mercury is attached to the brain cells and most medicines and vitamin supplements do not penetrate the blood-brain barrier. However, α-lipoic acid and perhaps vitamin B12 could making it possible for other chelators to remove mercury safely out of the body and could perhaps one day be used as a treatment for autism. Because lipoic acid is related to cellular uptake of glucose and it is both soluble in water and fat, it is being used for treatment in diabetes. It may be helpful for people with Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.

Additional information about Heparlipon

Heparlipon Indication: For nutritional supplementation, also for treating dietary shortage or imbalance.
Mechanism Of Action: Heparlipon is generally involved in oxidative decarboxylations of keto acids and is presented as a growth factor for some organisms. Lipoic acid exists as two enantiomers, the R-enantiomer and the S-enantiomer. Normally only the R-enantiomer of an amino acid is biologically active, but for lipoic acid the S-enantiomer assists in the reduction of the R-enantiomer when a racemic mixture is given. Some recent studies have suggested that the S-enantiomer in fact has an inhibiting effect on the R-enantiomer, reducing its biological activity substantially and actually adding to oxidative stress rather than reducing it. Furthermore, the S-enantiomer has been found to reduce the expression of GLUT-4s in cells, responsible for glucose uptake, and hence reduce insulin sensitivity.
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Not Available
Generic Name: Lipoic Acid
Synonyms: Lipoate; Thioctic acid; alpha-Lipoic acid; 1,2-Dithiolane-3R-pentanoic acid
Drug Category: Dietary supplement; Micronutrient; Antioxidants; Vitamins (Vitamin B Complex)
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Nutraceutical; Approved

Other Brand Names containing Lipoic Acid: Heparlipon; Biletan; Thioctsan;
Absorption: Not Available
Toxicity (Overdose): Not Available
Protein Binding: Not Available
Biotransformation: Not Available
Half Life: Not Available
Dosage Forms of Heparlipon: Not Available
Chemical IUPAC Name: 5-[(3R)-dithiolan-3-yl]pentanoic acid
Chemical Formula: C8H14O2S2
Lipoic Acid on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipoic_Acid
Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals