Lipoic acid as a rescue agent for adriamycin-induced hyperlipidemic nephropathy in rats

Adriamycin [ADR] is a cell independent model of glomerular injury. Hyperlipidemia associated with nephrotic syndrome may play a role in the deterioration of renal function. The study was carried out with adult male albino rats of Wistar strain comprising six rats in each group. Rats were fed with a standard rat pellet diet and were given access to water ad libitum. Group I rats served as controls (0.5 ml/day/rat i.p). Group II rats received ADR (1 mg/kg body weight/day) intravenously through the tail vein. Group III rats were given lipoic acid [LA] (35 mg/kg body weight/day) intraperitoneally. Group IV rats received LA 24 hours prior to the administration of ADR. ADR administered rats showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum lipids and lipoprotein fractions. However, the kidney of ADR administered rat showed a decline (p < 0.05) in the content of phospholipids and free fatty acids. Significant (p < 0.05) alterations were also observed in the activities of lipid metabolizing enzymes Pre-treatment with LA reverted the levels of lipid profiles and serum lipoproteins to near normal. The activities of lipid metabolizing enzymes also showed considerable changes on LA pre-treatment. This study highlights the antilipemic action of LA and its role as a protective agent for hyperlipidemia, associated with ADR induced nephrotic syndrome. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.