Protective effect of alpha lipoic acid on cisplatin induced hepatotoxicity in rats

We investigated the protective effect of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) against cisplatin (CIS) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. ALA is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that exhibits free radical scavenger properties and direct antioxidant effects on recycling of other cellular antioxidants. We used four equal groups of rats. The control group: saline solution (0.9%) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.); ALA group: administered a single dose 100 mg/kg ALA i.p. for 10 days; CIS group was administered a single dose 5 mg/kg CIS i.p. on the first day of the study; CIS + ALA group was administered a single dose 5 mg/kg CIS i.p. on the first day of study, then 100 mg/kg ALA i.p. for 10 days. In the CIS group, Bax, caspase3, malondialdehyde (MDA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were increased, whereas Bcl-2, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were decreased compared to the control group. In the CIS + ALA group, Bax, caspase 3, MDA, AST and ALT levels were decreased, whereas Bcl-2, SOD, CAT and GPx levels were increased compared to the CIS group. In the CIS group we found intense perivenule sinusoid dilation, karyomegaly, pyknotic and karyolytic cells, central vein congestion, parenchymal inflammation, mild bile duct proliferation and periportal sinusoid dilation. Histological liver damage was reduced in the CIS + ALA group. ALA may useful for treating CIS induced hepatotoxicity owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.