Alpha-lipoic acid modifies oxidative stress parameters in sickle cell trait subjects and sickle cell patients.
OBJECTIVE
Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the sickle cell disease. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a potent antioxidant that is employed in the treatment of several diseases. The objective of this study was to test the ALA effect in the sickle cell disease (SCD) treatment.


METHODS
Sixty subjects were selected and divided into groups according to the hemoglobin profile: AA (normal), AS (SCD trait subject) and SS (SCD patient). Patients were randomized into a placebo-controlled trial and treated with either ALA (200 mg) or vehicle. Blood samples were collected before supplementation and after 3 months of treatment. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and total antioxidant status (TAS) were evaluated as measure of antioxidant defense. Lipid and protein damages were quantified by malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl assays, respectively.


RESULTS
CAT activity significantly increased in the AS group after ALA treatment and GPx activity presented significant decrease in all groups. SOD activity was not different in any group. Data on MDA and carbonyl levels showed significant reduction in the AA group with ALA treatment. TAS decreased in the same group.


CONCLUSIONS
ALA treatment protected AA individuals from oxidative damage to lipids and proteins. In SCD subjects, the dose applied was not effective to prevent the oxidative damage.
Martins
Vanessa D
VD
Laboratório de Estresse Oxidativo, Departamento de Biofísica, Instituto de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
Manfredini
Vanusa
V
Peralba
Maria C R
MC
Benfato
Mara S
MS
D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D011506:Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait / Q000378:metabolism*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D011506:Proteins; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D008063:Thioctic Acid; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase