Vascular dysfunction is thought to be a significant cause of raised blood pressure. In particular, a reduction in the antioxidant status of the individual can cause increased blood pressure because the free radicals generated as a result of metabolic activity can inhibit the synthesis of nitric oxide, a signal molecule that is required for the dilation of blood vessels. Alpha lipoic acid may be beneficial in this case because it is an antioxidant and can reduce the propagation of free radicals in tissues. Acetyl L-carnitine may also be beneficial because it may improve mitochondrial functional efficiency, and this may in turn reduce the generation of free radicals from the mitochondrial. Combinations of alpha lipoic acid and acetyl L-carnitine have been shown to be beneficial at reducing the blood pressure of individuals with coronary artery disease following 8 weeks of treatment. Treatment caused an increase in the brachial artery diameter of 2.3 mm, indicating that dilation had occurred and reduced arterial tone was present. The treatment was most effective in those with the highest blood pressure and in particular acted to decrease the systolic reading.
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McMackin, C.J., Widlansky, M.E., Hamburg, N.M., Huang, A.L., Weller, S., Holbrook, M., Gokce, N., Hagen, T.M., Keaney Jr, J.F. and Vita, J.A. 2007. Effect of combined treatment with α‐lipoic acid and acetyl‐l‐carnitine on vascular function and blood pressure in patients with coronary artery disease. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension. 9(4): 249-255
