Lipoic Acid as a Potential First Agent for Protection from Mycotoxins and Treatment of Mycotoxicosis

Abstract

Mycotoxins—toxic substances produced by fungi or molds—are ubiquitous in the environment and are capable of damaging multiple biochemical mechanisms, resulting in a variety of human symptoms referred to collectively as "mycotoxicosis." In fact, mycotoxins mimic multiple xenobiotics, not only with respect to their ultimate damage, but also in their routes of detoxification. This suggests potential therapeutic options for the challenging treatment of mycotoxicosis. In this brief review, the author examines the use of lipoic acid as an example of an inexpensive and available nutrient that has been shown to protect against, or reverse, the adverse health effects of mycotoxins.

Keywords:

• lipoic acid
• mycotoxicosis
• thioctic acid
• xenobiotic detoxification