Effects of alpha lipoic acid on motor function and antioxidant enzyme activity of nerve tissue after sciatic nerve crush injury in rats.

AIM Background: Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) that is a strong antioxidant drug is tried for both protection and treatment of various diseases of central and peripheral nervous systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS Material and Methods: Protective effects of ALA on crush type peripheral nerve injury were evaluated. 28 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: In Group 1, sciatic nerve was only explored. Sciatic nerve crush injury was performed after serum physiologic injection intraperitoneally in Group 2, and after ALA injection in Groups 3 and 4. In all subjects, Sciatic Functional Index (SFI) was calculated. All subjects were sacrificed 1 hour after injury in first three groups, and 48 hours after in Group 4. Nerve samples were taken. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were measured in nerve tissue. RESULTS Results: Administration of ALA before injury provided significantly better SFI values and higher levels of antioxidant enzymes than control group. These effects were significantly prominent 48 hours after injury. CONCLUSION Conclusion: ALA that was given before crush type peripheral nerve injury provided to decrease damage of the nerve. Specific mechanisms of this effect must be clarified and must be shown that it is whether effective when it is given after injury or not.