Dose dependent morphological effects of alpha lipoic acid on vasospastic femoral artery in rats.

AIM The dose dependent effects of alpha lipoic acid (α-LA) were investigated morphologically on rat vasospasm model. MATERIAL AND METHODS 32 rats were divided into four groups: group I=control; group II=vasospasm; group III=vasospasm +low dose (20 mg/kg) intraperitoneal α-LA administered; and group IV=vasospasm +high dose (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneal α-LA administered. Histological and morphometric examinations were carried out for each groups under light microscope. RESULTS The mean vascular wall thickness displayed significant increase in group II and III compared with group I (p < .05). Statistical comparison of group II and IV, regarding vascular wall thickness showed a significant decrease in group IV, and regarding vascular lumen area showed a significant increase in group IV (p < .05). CONCLUSION It is demonstrated α-LA reduces the effects of vasospasm in high dose treatment group by decreasing the wall thickness and increasing the lumen surface area. The present study suggests that adequate dose of α-LA is a potential therapeutic agent in experimental vasospasm model.