Alpha-Lipoic-Acid / Hif1a 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


Hif1a, HIF1α/HIF1a: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type:
Hypoxia-Inducible-Factor 1A (HIF1A gene, HIF1α, HIF-1α protein product)
-Dominantly expressed under hypoxia(low oxygen levels) in solid tumor cells
-HIF1A induces the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
-High HIF-1α expression is associated with Poor prognosis
-Low HIF-1α expression is associated with Better prognosis

-Functionally, HIF-1α is reported to regulate glycolysis, whilst HIF-2α regulates genes associated with lipoprotein metabolism.
-Cancer cells produce HIF in response to hypoxia in order to generate more VEGF that promote angiogenesis

Key mediators of aerobic glycolysis regulated by HIF-1α.
-GLUT-1 → regulation of the flux of glucose into cells.
-HK2 → catalysis of the first step of glucose metabolism.
-PKM2 → regulation of rate-limiting step of glycolysis.
-Phosphorylation of PDH complex by PDK → blockage of OXPHOS and promotion of aerobic glycolysis.
-LDH (LDHA): Rapid ATP production, conversion of pyruvate to lactate;

HIF-1α Inhibitors:
-Curcumin: disruption of signaling pathways that stabilize HIF-1α (ie downregulate).
-Resveratrol: downregulate HIF-1α protein accumulation under hypoxic conditions.
-EGCG: modulation of upstream signaling pathways, leading to decreased HIF-1α activity.
-Emodin: reduce HIF-1α expression. (under hypoxia).
-Apigenin: inhibit HIF-1α accumulation.


Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
3442- ALA,    α‑lipoic acid modulates prostate cancer cell growth and bone cell differentiation
- in-vitro, Pca, 22Rv1 - in-vitro, Pca, C4-2B - in-vitro, Nor, 3T3
tumCV↓, TumCMig↓, TumCI↓, ROS↑, Hif1a↑, JNK↑, Casp↑, TumCCA↑, Apoptosis↑, selectivity↑,
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↑,
3433- ALA,    Alpha lipoic acid promotes development of hematopoietic progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells by antagonizing ROS signals
*ROS↓, *Apoptosis↓, *Hif1a↑, *FOXO1↑, *FOXO3↑, *ATM↑, *SIRT1↑, *SIRT3↑, *CD34↑,
3271- ALA,    Decrypting the potential role of α-lipoic acid in Alzheimer's disease
- Review, AD, NA
*antiOx↑, *memory↑, *neuroP↑, *Inflam↓, *IronCh↑, *NRF2↑, *BBB↑, *GlucoseCon↑, *Ach↑, *ROS↓, *p‑tau↓, *Aβ↓, *cognitive↑, *Hif1a↑, *Ca+2↓, *GLUT3↑, *GLUT4↑, *HO-1↑, *VEGF↑, *PDKs↓, *PDH↑, *VCAM-1↓, *GSH↑, *NRF2↑, *hepatoP↑, *ChAT↑,
278- ALA,    The Multifaceted Role of Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Cancer Prevention, Occurrence, and Treatment
- Review, NA, NA
ROS↑, NRF2↑, Inflam↓, frataxin↑, *BioAv↓, ChemoSen↑, Hif1a↓, eff↑, FAK↓, ITGB1↓, MMP2↓, MMP9↓, EMT↓, Snail↓, Vim↓, Zeb1↓, P53↑, MGMT↓, Mcl-1↓, Bcl-xL↓, Bcl-2↓, survivin↓, Casp3↑, Casp9↑, BAX↑, p‑Akt↓, GSK‐3β↓, *antiOx↑, *ROS↓, selectivity↑, angioG↓, MMPs↓, NF-kB↓, ITGB3↓, NADPH↓,
277- ALA,    α-lipoic acid modulates prostate cancer cell growth and bone cell differentiation
- in-vitro, Pca, 22Rv1 - in-vitro, Pca, C4-2B
ROS↑, Hif1a↑, JNK↑, Casp3↑, P21↑, BAX↑, Bcl-xL↓, cFos↓,

Showing Research Papers: 1 to 6 of 6

* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 6

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress

frataxin↑, 1,   NRF2↑, 1,   ROS↑, 3,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis

NADPH↓, 1,  

Cell Death

p‑Akt↓, 1,   Apoptosis↑, 1,   BAX↑, 2,   Bcl-2↓, 1,   Bcl-xL↓, 2,   Casp↑, 1,   Casp3↑, 2,   Casp9↑, 1,   JNK↑, 2,   Mcl-1↓, 1,   survivin↓, 1,  

Transcription & Epigenetics

tumCV↓, 1,  

DNA Damage & Repair

MGMT↓, 1,   P53↑, 1,  

Cell Cycle & Senescence

P21↑, 1,   TumCCA↑, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State

cFos↓, 1,   EMT↓, 1,   GSK‐3β↓, 1,  

Migration

FAK↓, 1,   ITGB1↓, 1,   ITGB3↓, 1,   MMP2↓, 1,   MMP9↓, 1,   MMPs↓, 1,   Snail↓, 1,   TumCI↓, 1,   TumCMig↓, 1,   Vim↓, 1,   Zeb1↓, 1,  

Angiogenesis & Vasculature

angioG↓, 1,   Hif1a↓, 1,   Hif1a↑, 2,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling

Inflam↓, 1,   NF-kB↓, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance

ChemoSen↑, 1,   eff↑, 1,   selectivity↑, 2,  
Total Targets: 42

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress

antiOx↑, 2,   GSH↑, 1,   HK1↑, 1,   HO-1↑, 2,   NRF2↑, 2,   ROS↓, 3,   SIRT3↑, 1,  

Metal & Cofactor Biology

IronCh↑, 1,  

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics

PGC-1α↑, 1,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis

GlucoseCon↑, 2,   Glycolysis↑, 1,   PDH↑, 1,   PDKs↓, 1,   SIRT1↑, 1,  

Cell Death

Apoptosis↓, 1,  

Transcription & Epigenetics

Ach↑, 1,  

DNA Damage & Repair

ATM↑, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State

CD34↑, 1,   FOXO1↑, 1,   FOXO3↑, 1,  

Migration

Ca+2↓, 1,   VCAM-1↓, 1,  

Angiogenesis & Vasculature

Hif1a↑, 3,   VEGF↑, 2,  

Barriers & Transport

BBB↑, 1,   GLUT3↑, 2,   GLUT4↑, 2,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling

Inflam↓, 1,  

Synaptic & Neurotransmission

ChAT↑, 1,   tau↓, 1,   p‑tau↓, 1,  

Protein Aggregation

Aβ↓, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance

BioAv↓, 1,  

Functional Outcomes

cognitive↑, 1,   hepatoP↑, 1,   memory↑, 1,   neuroP↑, 2,  
Total Targets: 37

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: Hif1a, HIF1α/HIF1a
6 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#:143  State#:%  Dir#:%
wNotes=0 sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

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