title: Lipoic acid blocks seizures induced by pilocarpine via increases in delta-aminolevulinic dehydratase and Na+, K+-ATPase activity in rat brain.
abstract: In the present study we investigated the effects of lipoic acid (LA) on delta-aminolevulinic dehydratase (delta-ALA-D) and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities in rat brain after seizures induction by pilocarpine. Wistar rats were treated with 0.9% saline (i.p., control group), lipoic acid (10mg/kg, i.p., LA group), pilocarpine (400mg/kg, i.p., pilocarpine group), or the combination of LA (10mg/kg, i.p.) with pilocarpine (400mg/kg, i.p.), 30 min before administration of LA (LA plus pilocarpine group). After the treatments all groups were observed for 1h. The enzyme activities (delta-ALA-D and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase) were measured using spectrophotometric methods, and the results were compared with that obtained from saline and pilocarpine-treated animals. Neuroprotective effects of LA against seizures were evaluated based on those enzyme activities. The pilocarpine group showed a reduction in delta-ALA-D and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities after seizures. In turn, LA plus pilocarpine abolished the appearance of seizures and reversed the decreased in delta-ALA-D and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities produced by seizures, when compared to the pilocarpine seizing group. The results from the present study demonstrate that preadministration of LA abolished seizure episodes induced by pilocarpine in rat, probably by increasing delta-ALA-D and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities in rat brain during seizures.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Research in Biological Sciences of Federal University of Piauí, Piauí, Brazil.
authors.forename: Itala Mônica de Sales
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Adriana da Rocha
authors.initials: Ada R
authors.lastname: Tomé
authors.forename: Chistiane Mendes
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Feitosa
authors.forename: Geane Felix
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Dejiang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Rivelilson Mendes
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: de Freitas
authors.forename: Joaquín
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jordán
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D010862:Pilocarpine; D008063:Thioctic Acid; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase