Alpha-lipoic acid increases Na+K+ATPase activity and reduces lipofuscin accumulation in discrete brain regions of aged rats.
A convincing link between oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases has been found with the knowledge that it actually damages neuronal cells in culture. We analyzed the effect of DL-alpha-lipoic acid on lipofuscin and Na(+)K(+) ATPase in discrete brain regions of young and aged rats. In aged rats, the level of lipofuscin was increased, and the activity of Na(+)K(+)ATPase was decreased. Intraperitoneal administration of lipoic acid to aged rats led to a duration-dependent reduction and elevation in lipofuscin and enzyme activity, respectively, in the cortex, cerebellum, striatum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus of the brain. These results suggest that lipoic acid, a natural metabolic antioxidant, should be useful as a therapeutic tool in preventing neuronal dysfunction in aged individuals.
Arivazhagan
P
P
Department of Biochemistry, Dr. ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai, 600 113, India.
Panneerselvam
C
C
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008062:Lipofuscin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D008062:Lipofuscin; D008063:Thioctic Acid; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase