Verification of neuroprotective effects of alpha-lipoic acid on chronic neuropathic pain in a chronic constriction injury rat model

Abstract

Treatment of neuropathic pain is far from satisfactory. This study sought evidence of a neuroprotective effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) to treat neuropathic pain in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat model. A total of 48 rats were randomly divided into sham, CCI, or CCI + ALA groups. Mechanical and thermal nociceptive thresholds were evaluated as behavioral assessments. Dorsal root ganglia cells were assessed morphologically with hematoxylin and eosin staining and for apoptosis with P53 immunohistochemical staining. Compared with the sham group, the CCI group had a shorter paw withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal latency, abnormal morphologic manifestations, and increased numbers of satellite glial cells and P53+ cells. These changes were significantly reversed by treatment with ALA. Our study indicates neuroprotective effects of ALA on chronic neuropathic pain in a CCI rat model. ALA is potentially considered to be developed as a treatment for neuropathic pain caused by peripheral nerve injury, which requires further verification.

A review of the diet, nutrients, and supplementation potential for the outcome augmentation in surgical treatment of peripheral nerve injuries

“…In rats with sciatic nerve injury, alpha-lipoic acid has a protective effect through the improvement of regeneration of the injured nerve by its antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects ( 23 ), while the implantation of composite nanofiber sheets incorporating alpha-lipoic acid and atorvastatin contributed to the recovery of the motor and sensory function and nerve regeneration ( 24 ). As a treatment for neuropathic pain caused by PN injury potentially is considered alpha-lipoic acid, which requires further verification ( 25 ).…”

“…Rats Distal to end-toside transfer 25 The ability of the acetyl-L-carnitine to enhance nerve regeneration after end-to-side neurorrhaphy in combination with various types of donor nerve injury distal to the coaptation site Administration of acetyl-L-carnitine alone did not prove to be a stimulus, but in an injury model of the donor nerve (crush injury) proved to be a significantly more potent stimulus for regeneration. In rats, supplementation with creatine had a positive effect on the regeneration of injured sciatic nerve.…”

Alpha-Lipoic Acid as an Antioxidant Strategy for Managing Neuropathic Pain

“…Nevertheless, the therapeutic properties of ALA have also been characterized in other experimental models of NP. Wang et al [ 92 ] evaluated the effects of ALA (50 mg/kg) on the peripheral nerve constriction model of NP. Treatments prevented morphological changes and apoptosis of DRG neurons.…”