Lipoic acid prevents oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo by an acute hyperphenylalaninemia chemically-induced in rat brain.
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a recessive autosomal disorder caused by a severe deficiency of phenylalanine-4-hydroxilase activity which leads to the accumulation of L-phenylalanine (Phe) in the tissues and plasma of patients. The main clinical features are retarded development and intellectual impairment. Recent studies have shown that oxidative stress may be involved in neuropathology of hyperphenylalaninemia. Lipoic acid (LA) is considered a potent antioxidant which is well absorbed from diet and can easily cross the blood-brain barrier. We investigated the neuroprotective effects of lipoic acid against oxidative stress caused by Phe in vivo and in vitro. Lipoic acid prevented the inhibition provoked by Phe on the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. It also prevented Phe alterations on total radical-trapping antioxidant potential, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, glutathione concentration and on production of reactive species. It is concluded that lipoic acid may be an efficient antioxidant in the CNS against oxidative stress induced by hyperphenylalaninemia. If the present results are confirmed in PKU patients, it is possible that supplementation of lipoic acid may contribute to the treatment of PKU as an adjuvant therapeutic approach to Phe-restricted dietary treatment and amino acid mixture.
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Tarsila Barros
TB
Moraes
Fernanda
F
Zanin
Andrea
A
da Rosa
Amanda
A
de Oliveira
Juliana
J
Coelho
Felipe
F
Petrillo
Moacir
M
Wajner
Carlos Severo
CS
Dutra-Filho
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010649:Phenylalanine; D010661:Phenylketonurias / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D010649:Phenylalanine; D008063:Thioctic Acid; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase