This randomized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study compared the effects of three oral regimens administered for 7days , i.e. , placebo ; aspirin ( 325mg twice daily ) and simvastatin ( 40mg twice daily ) ; aspirin , simvastatin , and the sodium salt of R - - lipoic acid ( NaRLA , 600mg three times daily ) on markers of HO-1 activation ( i.e. , plasma HO-1 protein concentration and venous monocyte HO-1 protein activity ) in 18 healthy subjects ( 14 females ) .