Therapeutic perspectives on the combination of α-lipoic acid and vitamin E

α-Lipoic acid (ALA) and vitamin E (VE) have synergistic effects, as determined in models of oxidant radical lesions. This review summarizes recent findings showing that the combination of ALA plus VE has beneficial effects in reducing oxidative damage in ischemic or other oxidation-related pathologic events. Both antioxidants are common in the normal human diet, and side effects are very rare. Therefore, ALA and VE can counteract oxidative processes and could have an important role in clinical medicine.