Lipoic acid effects on electrophysiological changes of the sciatic nerve following ischemia/reperfusion injury / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Lipoic acid, with a closed circle structure composed by sulphur and carbon atoms, exerts strong anti-oxidation, and has been extensively applied in the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress, diabetic cataract, diabetic neuropathy and cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the protective effect of lipoic acid on peripheral nerve function during peripheral nerve ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS:Models of peripheral nerve ischemia/reperfusion injury were established in rabbits, and then rabbit models were then allotted to treatment and non-treatment groups. The treatment group was subdivided into experimental (injection of lippoic acid) and control groups according to the use of lipoic acid at 1, 3 and 6 hours after ischemia and before reperfusion. The ultrastructural changes of the sciatic nerve were observed under electron microscope, and the electrophysiological changes of the sciatic nerve were detected using evoked potential instrument. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:With the ischemic time increasing, the number of vacuoles in the axon increased gradually, accompanied by axonal atrophy, and Waller's degeneration in the aggregated microfilaments. The myelin sheath thickening and dissolving were visible. All above phenomena became severest at 6 hours after ischemia. Compared with the control groups, lipoic acid reduced the number of the vacuoles in the axon and all eviated axonal atrophy, Waller's degeneration and demyelination. As the ischemic time increasing, the latency of sciatic nerve was significantly increased, and peaked at 6 hours of ischemia;while the amplitude was significantly decreased, and reached a minimum at 6 hours of ischemia. Compared with the control groups, in the experimental groups, the latency of sciatic nerve was significantly decreased, but the amplitude was significantly increased. These results suggest that lipoic acid provides neuroprotection against peripheral nerve ischemia/reperfusion injury.