당뇨병성 신경병증에 미치는 α-lipoic acid의 보호효과

Abstract

The metabolic antioxidant α-lipoate has been shown to be potent antioxidants to regenerate through redox cycling other antioxidants and to raise intracelluar glutathione levels. The peripheral nerve of experimental diabetic neuropathy is reported to related to glucose derived oxidative stress. Thus, it seems that α-lipoate is an ideal substance in the treatment of oxidative neural disorder, i.e. diabetic neuropathy. Twenty Spargue-Dawley rats (200~250 gm) were used and diabetes was induced by a single intraperitioneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). In lipoic acid group, α-lipoic acid which was dissolved in saline adding 2NNaOH and 2N HCI (pH 7.4) was administered intraperitoneally for 4 weeks after streptozotocin treatment. In nerve growth factor (NGF) group, recombinant human NGF were administered in dose of 500 mg/kg subcutaneously everyday for 4 weeks after streptozotocin treatment.

After 4 weeks rats were perfused with 3% glutaraldehyde and 4% paraformaldehyde mixed solutions. Tibial nerve was dissected and embedded in epon. One micron thick sections were prepared and toluidine blue stain has been done. Microphotographic montages were made and the total number of myelinated nerve were counted. Results obtained were as follows; In control group, the average total number of myelinated nerve was 2742±83.1 and the diabetic group showed similar number; 2781±120.0. In NGF administered group, the total number was 3037±146.5 and inlipoic acid administered group, the total number was 3101±160.2. With the above results, it could be concluded α-lipoate has similar neuroprotective effect to NGF in diabetic neuropathy.