Lipoic acid (LA) is globally known and its supplements are widely used. Despite its importance for the organism it is not considered a vitamin any more. The multiple metabolic forms and the differences in kinetics (absorption, distribution and excretion), as well as the actions of its enantiomers are analysed in the present article together with its biosynthetic path. The proteins involved in the transfer, biotransformation and activity of LA are mentioned. Furthermore, the safety and the toxicological profile of the compound are commented, together with its stability issues. Mechanisms of lipoic acid intervention in the human body are analysed considering the antioxidant and non-antioxidant characteristics of the compound. The chelating properties, the regenerative ability of other antioxidants, the co-enzyme activity and the signal transduction by the implication in various pathways will be discussed in order to be elucidated the pleiotropic effects of LA. Finally, lipoic acid integrating analogues are mentioned under the scope of the multiple pharmacological actions they acquire towards degenerative conditions.

Graphic abstract

中文翻译：

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硫辛酸。动力学和多能生物学特性和衍生物

硫辛酸 (LA) 是全球知名的，其补充剂被广泛使用。尽管它对有机体很重要，但它不再被认为是一种维生素。本文分析了多种代谢形式及其动力学（吸收、分布和排泄）的差异，以及其对映异构体的作用及其生物合成途径。提到了参与 LA 的转移、生物转化和活性的蛋白质。此外，还评论了该化合物的安全性和毒理学特征，以及它的稳定性问题。综合考虑该化合物的抗氧化和非抗氧化特性，分析硫辛酸对人体的干预机制。螯合特性，其他抗氧化剂的再生能力，将讨论辅酶活性和各种途径中的信号转导，以阐明 LA 的多效性。最后，硫辛酸整合类似物在它们对退行性疾病获得的多种药理作用范围内被提及。

图形摘要