Lipoic Acid Decreases the Expression of Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase and Inhibits Apoptosis in Diabetic Rats

Jingfang Chen; Qiang Li

doi:10.2147/DMSO.S241678

Lipoic Acid Decreases the Expression of Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase and Inhibits Apoptosis in Diabetic Rats

Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2020 May 20:13:1725-1731. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S241678. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Jingfang Chen¹, Qiang Li²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endocrinology, Henan Provincial Chest Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, People's Republic of China.
² Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.

Abstract

Purpose: To study the effects of lipoic acid on poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) expression and apoptosis in diabetic rats.

Materials and methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (n=30) with high-fat diet- and streptozotocin-induced diabetes were randomly divided into two groups: diabetic model (DM) group and lipoic acid (LA) treatment group; another 10 rats were selected as normal controls (NC). The serum levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, nitrotyrosine, and 8-isoprostane; sciatic nerve cell apoptosis index; and PARP expression were detected in the rats, and morphological changes in the sciatic nerve were recorded.

Results: The blood glucose level in the DM and LA groups was significantly higher than that of the NC group (P<0.01). Compared to the NC group, the DM group showed demyelinating changes to sciatic nerve fibers. PARP expression; serum levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, nitrotyrosine, and 8-isoprostane; and the apoptosis index of sciatic nerve cells were significantly higher than those of the NC group (P<0. 01). Following LA treatment, the above indices showed significant improvement (P<0.01).

Conclusion: Lipoic acid may improve the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy by reducing PARP activity and inhibiting apoptosis.

Keywords: apoptosis; diabetic peripheral neuropathy; lipoic acid; oxidative stress; poly ADP-ribose polymerase.