DOI: 10.36347/sajp

Pages: 95-99

Alpha-lipoic acid is well known antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory effects. It is used to treat diabetic neurovascular and metabolic problems. The aim of our study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of alpha- lipoic acid (ALA) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - induced model of inflammation in rats. Forty male Wistar rats were divided in five groups (n=8): control, model group and three experimental groups treated with 30, 60 and 90 mg/kg alpha – lipoic acid for 14 days. The inflammation was induced by a single dose administration of LPS from Escherichia coli 055: B in dose 250 μg/kg i.p. After four hours the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected. The levels of two proinflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin -6 (IL-6) were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). Intraperitoneal administration of LPS increased the level of both TNFalpha and IL-6 in the model group compared to the control group. In all ALA treated groups the level of TNF-alpha was significantly decreased (p<0, 05) compared to the model group. In contrast, IL-6 release in the group treated with 30 mg/kg ALA was significantly (p<0, 05) higher than the model group. There was no significant reduction (p<0, 05) in the level of IL-6 in all experimental groups. Our present study demonstrates that chronic ALA administration significantly protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in rats.