Effects of alpha lipoic acid on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat hindlimb ischemia model

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on prevention of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rat hindlimb ischemia model. METHODS: Forty male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 250 and 300 g were divided into 4 groups of 10 rats. Hindlimb composite island flaps were raised in all rats. Clamps were applied to femoral vessels of all subjects, but immediately released without causing ischemia in Group 1. In Group 2, after 4 hours of ischemia, 24 hours of reperfusion was performed. Following 4 hours of ischemia, saline was administered to rats in Group 3 and flaps were reperfused for 24 hours. In Group 4, ALA was administered intraperitoneally after 4 hours of ischemia and flaps were reperfused for 24 hours. RESULTS: In Group 4, there was a significant decrease of liver malondialdehyde compared to Group 2 and decrease of muscle tumor necrosis factor-alpha compared to Group 3. There was also increase in levels of glutathione in erythrocytes compared to Group 3 and increase of plasma vitamin C compared to all groups. CONCLUSION: ALA was found to be effective in prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Further studies are needed before clinical application.