Alpha-lipoic acid: Antioxidant potency against lipid peroxidation of neural tissues in vitro and implications for diabetic neuropathy

Kim K. Nickander, Benjamin R. McPhee, Phillip A. Low, Hans Tritschler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

131 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nerve lipid peroxidation is increased in experimental diabetic neuropathy, and α-lipoic acid will prevent the deficits in nerve blood flow, oxidative stress, and distal sensory conduction. Because these alterations can occur by mechanisms other than augmenting lipid peroxidation in vivo, and because both pro-oxidant and antioxidant effects of the agent have been reported, we undertook studies of in vitro lipid peroxidation of brain and sciatic nerve using an in vitro lipid peroxidation model with an ascorbate- iron-EDTA system. We evaluated the effectiveness of the R(+)-, S(-)- enantiomers, and racemate of α-lipoic acid in reducing thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TEARS) generation in rat brain and sciatic nerve. Studies were also done in an incubation medium containing 20 mM glucose, which increased lipid peroxidation up to fourfold. A dose-dependent and statistically significant reduction in lipid peroxidation was seen with both tissues with similar potencies for both enantiomers. This effect was unassociated with any reduction in the loss of α-tocopherol.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)631-639
Number of pages9
JournalFree Radical Biology and Medicine
Volume21
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

Keywords

  • Diabetes
  • Free radicals
  • Neuropathy
  • α-Lipoic acid

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology (medical)

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