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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

An Assay to Detect Protection of the Retinal Vasculature from Diabetes-Related Death in Mice
Published on: January 12, 2024
Neuroprotection by alpha-lipoic acid in streptozotocin-induced diabetes
G Baydas1, E Donder, M Kiliboz
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, 23119, Turkey. baydas@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Glial cells provide structural and metabolic support for neurons, and these cells become reactive to any insult to the central nervous system. The streptozotocin (STZ) rat model was used to study glial reactivity and the prevention of gliosis by alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) administration. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S100B protein, and neuron specific enolase (NSE) was determined as well as lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione (GSH) levels in some brain tissues. Western blot analyses showed GFAP, S100B, and NSE levels significantly increased under STZ-induced diabetes in brain, and LPO level increased as well. Administration of alpha-LA reduced the expression both of glial and neuronal markers. In addition, alpha-LA significantly prevented the increase in LPO levels found in diabetic rats. GSH levels were increased by the administration of alpha-LA. This study suggests that alpha-LA prevents neural injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and suppressing reactive gliosis.
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