Influence of alpha-lipoic acid on nicotine-induced lung and liver damage in experimental rats

Nicotine mediates some of the injurious effects caused by consuming tobacco products. This work aimed at investigating the defensive role of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) with its known antioxidant and antiinflammatory effect in nicotine-induced lung and liver damage. Rats were arranged into 4 groups: control, nicotine, ALA, and ALA-nicotine groups. Oxidative stress and antioxidant status were determined by assessing thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) levels in lung and liver. Liver enzymes and lipid profiles were measured and pulmonary and hepatic damage were assessed by histopathological examination. Also, serum levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) were determined. The results revealed an increase in TBARS in tissues and a reduction in both SOD and GSH activity in the nicotine-treated rats. Nicotine induced high levels of liver enzymes, TGF-β1, VCAM-1, and dyslipidemia with histopathological changes in the lung and liver. ALA administration along with nicotine attenuated oxidative stress and normalized the SOD and GSH levels, ameliorated dyslipidemia, and improved TGF-β1 and VCAM-1 with better histopathology of the lung and liver. The study data revealed that ALA may be beneficial in alleviating nicotine-induced oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and both lung and liver damage.