Alpha-lipoic acid decreases oxidative stress indexes in the hippocampal methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity model

Background and Aim : Alpha -Lipoic acid is an organosulfur compound which is made in animals normally, and is essential for aerobic metabolism. It acts as a potent antioxidant and scavengers free radicals in the body. It was demonstrated that acute exposure to methamphetamine induces oxidative stress in the brain and responsible for cognitive deficit such as memory in rats. In this study, preventive effect of intraperitoneal injection of alpha-lipoic acid on memory impairment in the model of methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity was investigated.Methods : Forty five rats were divided into 6 groups: control, saline + saline, saline (as methamphetamine solvent) + sunflower oil (as alpha-lipoic acid solvent), methamphetamine + sunflower oil, and two methamphetamine groups under treatment with alpha-lipoic acid (10, and 40mg/kg). Rats received methamphetamine repeatedly (20 mg/kg, ½ hour interval). Alpha-lipoic acid was injected 30 min, 24 h and 48 h after the last methamphetamine injection. After preparation of hippocampal homogenates, oxidative stress indexes such as (malondialdehyde, catalase, SOD) was evaluated. SPSS software was used for data analyzing.Results : Statistical analysis showed that injection of saline or sunflower oil did not affect malondialdehyde amounts or catalase and SOD enzyme activity. Methamphetamine increased malondialdehyde and decreased catalase and SOD enzyme activity in the hippocampus. Effectively, alpha-lipoic acid injection significantly reduced malondialdehyde and increased catalase and SOD enzyme activity in the dose-dependent manner.Conclusion : Our results showed that injection of alpha-lipoic acid decreased hippocampal oxidative stress in the methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity model.

Keywords:

Methamphetamine , Alpha-lipoic acid , Hippocampus , Oxidative stress