Protective Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver and Kidney Damage in Rats

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a well known toxicant and exposure to this chemical is known to induce oxidative stress by the formation of free radicals. The present study investigates the in vivo effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on CCl4-induced hepatic and renal toxicities. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of 6 animals each and treated for 10 consecutive days. Group 1 was given olive oil only. Group 2 received CCl4 intra-peritoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg as a 30% olive oil solution. Group 3 was given ALA only at a dose 25 mg/kg. Group 4 was given both CCl4 and ALA, respectively. At the end of experiment, the antioxidant status in both the liver and kidney tissues were estimated by determining the activities of antioxidant enzymes; reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase as well as the level of lipid peroxidation via thiobarbituric reactive substance. The liver and kidney functions tests were also performed in addition to their histopathological evaluation. Results obtained showed significant adverse changes in the levels of all measured parameters in CCl4 treated rats. However, treatment with ALA attenuated the adverse changes in the CCl4-induced rats. Our findings suggest that ALA protects the liver and kidney against CCl4-induced damage through its significant effects on the antioxidant activities.