open access
The dose-dependent neuroprotective effect of alpha-lipoic acid in experimental spinal cord injury
- department of neurosurgery
- Acibadem Hospital, Department of Pathology, Istanbul/TURKEY, 34718 Istanbul, Türkiye
- 4Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig , Egypt, 4Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt, 44511 Zagazig, Egypt
open access
Abstract
Free radical production after spinal cord injury (SCI) plays an important role in secondary damage. The aim of this study was to investigate neuroprotective effects of the powerful antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in a spinal cord clip compression injury model.
Material and methodsFifty-six Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 210 and 300 g, were randomly divided into seven groups. Spinal cord injury was performed by an aneurysm clip placed extradurally at the level of T9. Group 1 (sham) received laminectomy only. Group 2 (control) received SCI; Group 3 received 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS); Groups 4, 5, 6 and 7 received ALA at doses of 50, 100, 150, 200 mg/kg, respectively, via the intraperitoneal route immediately after SCI. The rats were neurologically tested 24 hours after trauma. Spinal cord samples from injury sites were harvested for measurement of lipid peroxidation products and histopathological evaluation.
ResultsSpinal cord malonyldialdehyde levels of rats in treatment groups decreased after administration of ALA. The difference between the trauma group and groups receiving MPSS-ALA was statistically significant. The difference between the ALA (50, 100, 150 mg/kg) and MPSS groups was insignificant. Group 7 (ALA 200 mg/kg) was excluded from the study because of the possible toxic effect. Alpha lipoic acid and MPSS had similar effects on spinal cord injury in terms of lipid peroxidation, neurological recovery and histopathological changes.
ConclusionsAlpha lipoic acid at a dose range of 50–150 mg/kg is as effective as MPSS (30 mg/kg) in neuroprotection after SCI. Further, more detailed experimental studies are needed to determine the effects of ALA on the detrimental results of secondary SCI before its use in humans.
Abstract
Free radical production after spinal cord injury (SCI) plays an important role in secondary damage. The aim of this study was to investigate neuroprotective effects of the powerful antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in a spinal cord clip compression injury model.
Material and methodsFifty-six Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 210 and 300 g, were randomly divided into seven groups. Spinal cord injury was performed by an aneurysm clip placed extradurally at the level of T9. Group 1 (sham) received laminectomy only. Group 2 (control) received SCI; Group 3 received 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS); Groups 4, 5, 6 and 7 received ALA at doses of 50, 100, 150, 200 mg/kg, respectively, via the intraperitoneal route immediately after SCI. The rats were neurologically tested 24 hours after trauma. Spinal cord samples from injury sites were harvested for measurement of lipid peroxidation products and histopathological evaluation.
ResultsSpinal cord malonyldialdehyde levels of rats in treatment groups decreased after administration of ALA. The difference between the trauma group and groups receiving MPSS-ALA was statistically significant. The difference between the ALA (50, 100, 150 mg/kg) and MPSS groups was insignificant. Group 7 (ALA 200 mg/kg) was excluded from the study because of the possible toxic effect. Alpha lipoic acid and MPSS had similar effects on spinal cord injury in terms of lipid peroxidation, neurological recovery and histopathological changes.
ConclusionsAlpha lipoic acid at a dose range of 50–150 mg/kg is as effective as MPSS (30 mg/kg) in neuroprotection after SCI. Further, more detailed experimental studies are needed to determine the effects of ALA on the detrimental results of secondary SCI before its use in humans.
Keywords
spinal cord injury, alpha-lipoic acid, free radical, lipid peroxidation, methylprednisolone
Title
The dose-dependent neuroprotective effect of alpha-lipoic acid in experimental spinal cord injury
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Pages
345-351
Page views
434
Article views/downloads
641
DOI
10.5114/ninp.2013.36207
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2013;47(4):345-351.
Keywords
spinal cord injury
alpha-lipoic acid
free radical
lipid peroxidation
methylprednisolone
Authors
Murat Sayin
Peyker Temiz
Ahmet Var
Cüneyt Temiz