Protective Effects of α-Lipoic Acid on Vascular Oxidative Stress in Rats with Hyperuricemia

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to observe the protective effects of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on vascular injury in rats with hyperuricemia (HUA). The ALA treatment groups (10, 30 and 90 mg/kg, respectively) were administered with ALA via gavage for 2 weeks. Subsequently, the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CREA), uric acid (UA), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C) were measured; the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) were also determined. The thoracic aorta of rats in each experimental group was observed under a light microscope; ultrastructural analysis was performed. SOD and CAT protein contents were investigated by Western blotting. The results revealed that: i) Compared with the model group, the levels of UA were decreased in the ALA groups and the levels of BUN, CREA, TC, and LDL-C decreased in the 30 and 90 mg/kg ALA groups (P<0.05); ii) compared with the model group, the activities of GSH-Px, SOD and XOD were increased and the levels of MDA were reduced in the 90 mg/kg ALA group (P&lt;0.05); and iii) in the model and 10 mg/kg ALA groups, edema and shedding were observed in endothelial cells. Compared with the model and 10 mg/kg ALA groups, the 30 and 90 mg/kg ALA groups exhibited fewer swollen endothelial cells. In summary, the results of the present study indicated that HUA resu...
Source: Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology -- Medical Sciences -- - Category: Research Source Type: research