Lipoic acid lessens Th1-mediated inflammation in lipopolysaccharide-induced uveitis reducing selectively Th1 lymphocytes-related cytokines release

Free Radic Res. 2013 Aug;47(8):593-601. doi: 10.3109/10715762.2013.805882. Epub 2013 Jun 13.

Abstract

Inflammation results in the production of free radicals. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity of lipoic acid in an experimental uveitis model upon a subcutaneous injection of endotoxin into Lewis rats. The role of oxidative stress in the endotoxin-induced uveitis model is well-known. Besides, the Th1 response classically performs a central part in the immunopathological process of experimental autoimmune uveitis. Exogenous sources of lipoic acid have been shown to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Our results show that lipoic acid treatment plays a preventive role in endotoxin-induced oxidative stress at 24 h post-administration and reduced Th1 lymphocytes-related cytokines by approximately 50-60%. Simultaneously, lipoic acid treatment caused a significant reduction in uveal histopathological grading and in the protein concentration in aqueous humors, but not in cellular infiltration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Lew
  • Th1 Cells / drug effects*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Thioctic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Thioctic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Uveitis / chemically induced
  • Uveitis / drug therapy*
  • Uveitis / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antioxidants
  • Cytokines
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Thioctic Acid