Alpha-Lipoic-Acid / Glycolysis Cancer Research Results

ALA, Alpha-Lipoic-Acid: Click to Expand ⟱
Features: antioxidant, energy production in cell mitochondria
Alpha-Lipoic-Acid: also known as lipoic acid or thioctic acid (reduced form is dihydrolipoic acid).
"Universal antioxidant" because it is both water- and fat-soluble and can neutralize free radicals.
-Treatment sometimes as ALA/N (alpha-lipoic acid/low-dose naltresone)
-Also done in IV
-Decreases ROS production, but also has pro-oxidant role.
Normal adult can take 300 milligrams twice a day with food, but they should always take a B-complex vitamin with it. Because B complex vitamins, especially thiamine, and biotin, and riboflavin, are depleted during this metabolic process.
α-Lipoic acid acts as a chelating agent for metal ions, a quenching agent for reactive oxygen species, and a reducing agent for the oxidized form of glutathione and vitamins C and E.
-It seems a paradox that LA functions as both antioxidant and prooxidant. LA functions the pro-oxidant only in special cancer cells, such as A549 and PC9 cells which should show high-level NRF2 expression and high glycolytic level. Through inhibiting PDK1 to further prohibit NRF2; LA functions as anticancer prooxidant.

α-lipoic acid possesses excellent silver chelating properties.

ALA → ROS ↑ (cancer cells; high dose / stressed mitochondria)
ALA → ROS ↓ (normal cells; low–moderate dose)
same pattern seen with: Vitamin C, Menadione, Quercetin, EGCG, Resveratrol
- ALA acts as pro-Oxidant only in cancer cells:#278 - Pro-Oxidant Dose margin >100uM:#304

- Bioavailability: 80-90%, but conversion to EPA/DHA is 5-10% (and takes longer time).
- AI (Adequate Intake): 1.1-1.6g/day.
- human studies have shown that ALA levels decline significantly with age
- 1g of ALA might achieve 500uM in the blood.
- ALA is poorly soluble, lecithin has been used as an amphiphilic matrix to enhance its bioavailability.
- Pilot studies or observational interventions have used flaxseed supplementation (rich in ALA) in doses providing roughly 3–4 g of ALA daily.
- Flaxseed oil is even more concentrated in ALA – typical 50–60% ALA by weight.
- single walnut may contain 300mg of ALA
- chia oil contains 55-65% ALA.
- α-LA can also be obtained from the diet through the consumption of dark green leafy vegetables and meats
- ALA is more stable in chia seeds, (2grams of ALA per tablespoon)
- ALA degrades when exposed to heat, light, and air. (prone to oxidation)

-Note half-life 1-2 hrs.
BioAv 30-40% from walnuts, 60-80% from supplements. Co-ingestion with fat improves absorption. Both fat and water soluble
Pathways:
- induce ROS production
- ROS↑ related: MMP↓(ΔΨm), ER Stress↑, UPR↑, GRP78↑, Cyt‑c↑, Caspases↑, DNA damage↑,
- Lowers AntiOxidant defense in Cancer Cells: NRF2↓, SOD↓, GSH↓ Catalase↓ HO1↓ GPx↓
- Raises AntiOxidant defense in Normal Cells: ROS↓, NRF2↑, SOD↑, GSH↑, Catalase↑,
- lowers Inflammation : NF-kB↓, COX2↓, Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines : IL-1β↓, TNF-α↓, IL-6↓, IL-8↓
- inhibit Growth/Metastases : TumMeta↓, TumCG↓, EMT↓, MMPs↓, MMP2↓, MMP9↓, IGF-1↓, VEGF↓, FAK↓, NF-κB↓, TGF-β↓, α-SMA↓, ERK↓
- cause Cell cycle arrest : TumCCA↑, cyclin D1↓,
- inhibits Migration/Invasion : TumCMig↓, TumCI↓, TNF-α↓, FAK↓, ERK↓, EMT↓,
- inhibits glycolysis and ATP depletion : HIF-1α↓, PKM2↓, GLUT1↓, LDHA↓, HK2↓, PFKs↓, PDKs↓, ECAR↓, OXPHOS↓, GRP78↑, Glucose↓, GlucoseCon↓
- inhibits angiogenesis↓ : VEGF↓, HIF-1α↓, EGFR↓, Integrins↓,
- small indication of inhibiting Cancer Stem Cells : CSC↓, CD24↓, β-catenin↓,
- Others: PI3K↓, AKT↓, JAK↓, STAT↓, β-catenin↓, AMPK, ERK↓, JNK,
- Synergies: chemo-sensitization, chemoProtective, RadioSensitizer, RadioProtective, Others(review target notes), Neuroprotective, Cognitive, Renoprotection, Hepatoprotective, CardioProtective,

- Selectivity: Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells

Cancer-Relevant Pathways
Rank Pathway / Axis Cancer Cells Normal Cells Label Interpretation Notes
1 Reactive oxygen species (ROS) ↑ ROS (dose- & stress-dependent) ↓ ROS Conditional Driver Biphasic redox behavior ALA/DHLA redox cycling can push already stressed cancer mitochondria past tolerance while buffering ROS in normal cells
2 Glutathione (GSH) system ↓ functional buffering ↑ GSH regeneration Secondary Redox amplification vs protection In cancer cells, GSH consumption accompanies ROS escalation; in normal cells DHLA supports GSH recycling
3 Mitochondrial function (ΔΨm) ↓ ΔΨm (stress-induced) ↔ stabilized Secondary Mitochondrial selectivity Cancer cells with unstable ETC show depolarization; normal cells tolerate or benefit metabolically
4 NF-κB signaling ↓ survival signaling ↓ inflammatory tone Secondary Redox-sensitive transcription NF-κB suppression reduces cancer cell survival programs but is anti-inflammatory in normal tissue
5 Cell proliferation ↓ proliferation ↔ spared Phenotypic Cytostatic selectivity ALA slows cancer cell cycling without universal apoptosis
6 Apoptosis ↑ apoptosis (conditional) ↓ apoptosis Phenotypic Threshold-dependent death Occurs in cancer cells when redox stress exceeds buffering capacity
7 NRF2 antioxidant response ↑ NRF2 (adaptive, often insufficient) ↑ NRF2 (protective) Adaptive Stress compensation NRF2 reflects attempted redox recovery; not a kill mechanism


Glycolysis, Glycolysis: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type:
Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP (energy) in the process. It is a fundamental process for cellular energy production and occurs in the cytoplasm of cells. In normal cells, glycolysis is tightly regulated and is followed by aerobic respiration in the presence of oxygen, which allows for the efficient production of ATP.
In cancer cells, however, glycolysis is often upregulated, even in the presence of oxygen. This phenomenon is known as the Warburg Mutations in oncogenes (like MYC) and tumor suppressor genes (like TP53) can alter metabolic pathways, promoting glycolysis and other anabolic processes that support cell growth.effect.
Acidosis: The increased production of lactate from glycolysis can lead to an acidic microenvironment, which may promote tumor invasion and suppress immune responses.

Glycolysis is a hallmark of malignancy transformation in solid tumor, and LDH is the key enzyme involved in glycolysis.

Pathways:
-GLUTs, HK2, PFK, PK, PKM2, LDH, LDHA, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, AMPK, HIF-1a, c-MYC, p53, SIRT6, HSP90α, GAPDH, HBT, PPP, Lactate Metabolism, ALDO

Natural products targeting glycolytic signaling pathways https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9631946/
Alkaloids:
-Berberine, Worenine, Sinomenine, NK007, Tetrandrine, N-methylhermeanthidine chloride, Dauricine, Oxymatrine, Matrine, Cryptolepine

Flavonoids: -Oroxyline A, Apigenin, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Wogonin, Baicalein, Chrysin, Genistein, Cardamonin, Phloretin, Morusin, Bavachinin, 4-O-methylalpinumisofavone, Glabridin, Icaritin, LicA, Naringin, IVT, Proanthocyanidin B2, Scutellarin, Hesperidin, Silibinin, Catechin, EGCG, EGC, Xanthohumol.

Non-flavonoid phenolic compounds:
Curcumin, Resveratrol, Gossypol, Tannic acid.

Terpenoids:
-Cantharidin, Dihydroartemisinin, Oleanolic acid, Jolkinolide B, Cynaropicrin, Ursolic Acid, Triptolie, Oridonin, Micheliolide, Betulinic Acid, Beta-escin, Limonin, Bruceine D, Prosapogenin A (PSA), Oleuropein, Dioscin.

Quinones:
-Thymoquinone, Lapachoi, Tan IIA, Emodine, Rhein, Shikonin, Hypericin

Others:
-Perillyl alcohol, HCA, Melatonin, Sulforaphane, Vitamin D3, Mycoepoxydiene, Methyl jasmonate, CK, Phsyciosporin, Gliotoxin, Graviola, Ginsenoside, Beta-Carotene.


Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
3443- ALA,    Molecular and Therapeutic Insights of Alpha-Lipoic Acid as a Potential Molecule for Disease Prevention
- Review, Var, NA - Review, AD, NA
*antiOx↑, *ROS↓, *IronCh↑, *cognitive↑, *cardioP↓, AntiCan↑, *neuroP↑, *Inflam↓, *BioAv↓, *AntiAge↑, *Half-Life↓, *BioAv↝, other↝, EGFR↓, Akt↓, ROS↓, TumCCA↑, p27↑, PDH↑, Glycolysis↓, ROS↑, *eff↑, *memory↑, *motorD↑, *GutMicro↑,
3441- ALA,    α-Lipoic Acid Maintains Brain Glucose Metabolism via BDNF/TrkB/HIF-1α Signaling Pathway in P301S Mice
- in-vivo, AD, NA
*tau↓, *GlucoseCon↑, *GLUT3↑, *GLUT4↑, *VEGF↑, *HO-1↑, *Glycolysis↑, *HK1↑, *PGC-1α↑, *Hif1a↑, *neuroP↑,
3436- ALA,    Alpha lipoic acid modulates metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer stem cells enriched 3D spheroids by targeting phosphoinositide 3-kinase: In silico and in vitro insights Author links open overlay panel
- in-vitro, BC, MCF-7
ChemoSen↑, PI3K↓, Akt↓, ATP↓, GlucoseCon↓, ROS↑, PKM2↓, Glycolysis↓, CSCs↓, IGF-1R↓, Furin↓, RadioS↑,
3434- ALA,    Alpha lipoic acid modulates metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer stem cells enriched 3D spheroids by targeting phosphoinositide 3-kinase: In silico and in vitro insights
- in-vitro, BC, MCF-7 - in-vitro, BC, MDA-MB-231
tumCV↓, PI3K↓, p‑Akt↓, p‑P70S6K↓, mTOR↓, ATP↓, GlucoseCon↓, ROS↑, PKM2↓, LDHA↓, Glycolysis↓, ChemoSen↑,
3454- ALA,    Lipoic acid blocks autophagic flux and impairs cellular bioenergetics in breast cancer and reduces stemness
- in-vitro, BC, MCF-7 - in-vitro, BC, MDA-MB-231
TumCG↑, Glycolysis↓, ROS↑, CSCs↓, selectivity↑, LC3B-II↑, MMP↓, mitResp↓, ATP↓, OCR↓, NAD↓, p‑AMPK↑, GlucoseCon↓, lactateProd↓, HK2↓, PFK↓, LDHA↓, eff↓, mTOR↓, ECAR↓, ALDH↓, CD44↓, CD24↓,

Showing Research Papers: 1 to 5 of 5

* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 5

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress

ROS↓, 1,   ROS↑, 4,  

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics

ATP↓, 3,   mitResp↓, 1,   MMP↓, 1,   OCR↓, 1,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis

p‑AMPK↑, 1,   ECAR↓, 1,   GlucoseCon↓, 3,   Glycolysis↓, 4,   HK2↓, 1,   lactateProd↓, 1,   LDHA↓, 2,   NAD↓, 1,   PDH↑, 1,   PFK↓, 1,   PKM2↓, 2,  

Cell Death

Akt↓, 2,   p‑Akt↓, 1,   p27↑, 1,  

Transcription & Epigenetics

other↝, 1,   tumCV↓, 1,  

Autophagy & Lysosomes

LC3B-II↑, 1,  

Cell Cycle & Senescence

TumCCA↑, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State

ALDH↓, 1,   CD24↓, 1,   CD44↓, 1,   CSCs↓, 2,   IGF-1R↓, 1,   mTOR↓, 2,   p‑P70S6K↓, 1,   PI3K↓, 2,   TumCG↑, 1,  

Migration

Furin↓, 1,  

Angiogenesis & Vasculature

EGFR↓, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance

ChemoSen↑, 2,   eff↓, 1,   RadioS↑, 1,   selectivity↑, 1,  

Clinical Biomarkers

EGFR↓, 1,  

Functional Outcomes

AntiCan↑, 1,  
Total Targets: 41

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress

antiOx↑, 1,   HK1↑, 1,   HO-1↑, 1,   ROS↓, 1,  

Metal & Cofactor Biology

IronCh↑, 1,  

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics

PGC-1α↑, 1,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis

GlucoseCon↑, 1,   Glycolysis↑, 1,  

Angiogenesis & Vasculature

Hif1a↑, 1,   VEGF↑, 1,  

Barriers & Transport

GLUT3↑, 1,   GLUT4↑, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling

Inflam↓, 1,  

Synaptic & Neurotransmission

tau↓, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance

BioAv↓, 1,   BioAv↝, 1,   eff↑, 1,   Half-Life↓, 1,  

Clinical Biomarkers

GutMicro↑, 1,  

Functional Outcomes

AntiAge↑, 1,   cardioP↓, 1,   cognitive↑, 1,   memory↑, 1,   motorD↑, 1,   neuroP↑, 2,  
Total Targets: 25

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: Glycolysis, Glycolysis
5 Alpha-Lipoic-Acid
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells
Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:29  Target#:129  State#:%  Dir#:%
wNotes=0 sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

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