Effect of alpha lipoic acid on ifosfamide-induced central neurotoxicity in rats

Ifosfamide (IFOS) which is a cytotoxic alkylating agent may cause central nervous system toxicity. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has a strong antioxidant effects. We hypothesized that ALA could attenuate on ifosfamide-induced central neurotoxicity in rats. Rats were divided into Control, IFOS, ALA and IFOS+ALA groups. The toxic effects of IFOS were analyzed by oxidative parameters and caspase 3 immunohistochemical examinations of brain tissue. The catalase activity of IFOS group significantly reduced in comparison with control groups (p < 0.05). The malondialdehyde (MDA) level and protein carbonyl (PC) content in brain tissue were significantly higher in IFOS group than in the other groups (p < 0.05). ALA treatments significantly prevented the increase in MDA level (p < 0.001) and PC content (p < 0.05) in brain tissue. IFOS group showed profound activation of caspase 3. The control, ALA and IFOS+ALA groups did not show caspase 3 activation. It was concluded that ALA treatments may have beneficial effects protecting neurons from central neurotoxicity caused by IFOS.