lipoic acid

Application: As a coenzyme, lipoic acid plays a role in two key oxidative decarboxylation reactions, namely, catalyzing the generation and transfer of acyl groups in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex. Lipoic acid can accept acyl groups and acetyl groups of pyruvate to form a thioester bond, and then transfer the acetyl group to the sulfur atom of the coenzyme A molecule. The dihydrolipoamide formed as a cofactor can be oxidized by dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (requires NAD+) to regenerate oxidized lipoamide.α-Lipoic acid contains a disulfide five-membered ring structure, has a high electron density, has significant electrophilicity and the ability to react with free radicals, so it has antioxidant properties and has extremely high health functions and medical value (such as anti-fatty liver and lowering plasma cholesterol). In addition, the sulfhydryl group of lipoic acid is easy to undergo redox reactions, so it can protect sulfhydryl enzymes from being poisoned by heavy metal ions. Lipoic acid is widely distributed in nature, and its content is particularly rich in liver and yeast cells. Lipoic acid often exists in food together with vitamin B1. The human body can synthesize it. At present, no lipoic acid deficiency has been found in humans.