Protective Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid against 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Gastrointestinal Mucositis in Rats

• Main Authors: Deniz Ceylanlı (Author), Ahmet Özer Şehirli (Author), Sevgi Gençosman (Author), Kerem Teralı (Author), Hüseyin Şah (Author), Nurhayat Gülmez (Author), Serkan Sayıner (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2022-09-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.3390/antiox11101930; 2076-3921
• Keywords: 5-fluorouracil; alpha-lipoic acid; oxidative stress; gastrointestinal mucositis; inflammation; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Antioxidants, Vol 11, Iss 10, p 1930 (2022)

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is extensively utilized in multivitamin formulas and anti-aging products. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential protective benefits of ALA on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced gastrointestinal mucositis in Wistar albino rats. Tissues from the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine were excised, and blood sera were obtained to identify biochemical indices such as TNF-α, IL-1β, MDA, GPx, SOD, MMP-1, -2, -8, and TIMP-1. A histopathological study was also performed. The results revealed mucositis-elevated TNF-, IL-1, MDA, MMP-1, -2, -8, and TIMP-1 levels in both tissues and sera, and these values dropped dramatically following ALA treatment. Reduced SOD and GPx activities in mucositis groups were reversed in ALA-treated groups. The damage produced by mucositis in the stomach and small intestine regressed in the ALA-treated group, according to histopathological evaluation. Consequently, the implementation of ALA supplementation in 5-FU therapy may act as a protective intervention for cancer patients with gastrointestinal mucositis. In light of the findings, ALA, a food-derived antioxidant with pleiotropic properties, may be an effective treatment for 5-FU-induced gastrointestinal mucositus, and prevent oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue damage in cancer patients receiving 5-FU therapy.