title: Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on visual evoked potentials in rats exposed to sulfite.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) administration on sulfite-induced alterations in visual evoked potentials (VEPs). Fifty two male albino Wistar rats were randomized into four experimental groups as follows; control (C), LA treated (L), sodium metabisulfite (Na(2)S(2)O(5)) treated (S), Na(2)S(2)O(5)+LA treated (SL). Na(2)S(2)O(5) (260 mg/kg/day) and LA (100 mg/kg/day) were given by intragastric intubation for 5 weeks. The latencies of VEP components were significantly prolonged in the S group and returned to control levels following LA administration. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in the S group were significantly higher than those detected in controls. LA significantly decreased brain and retina TBARS levels in the SL group compared with the S group. Sulfite caused a significant decrease in retina and brain glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities which was restored to control levels via LA administration. Brain glutathione (GSH):glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio was significantly increased in rats jointly treated with sulfite and LA compared to rats treated with sulfite alone. Though not significant, a similar increase in GSH:GSSG ratio was also observed in the retina of SL group. This study showed that LA is protective against sulfite-induced VEP alterations and oxidative stress in the brain and retina.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, 07070 Antalya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Narin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Derin
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Akpinar
authors.forename: Piraye
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yargicoglu
authors.forename: Aysel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agar
authors.forename: Mutay
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aslan