alpha-Lipoic acid normalizes nociceptive neuronal activity at the spinal cord of diabetic rats

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

Carla Morgado (Author) FMUP; Pereira Terra, P (Author) Other; Isaura Tavares (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism

Vol. 13

Pages: 736-741

ISSN: 1462-8902

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-PH2

DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2011.01399.x

Abstract (EN): Aim: To evaluate the effects of antioxidant treatment of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats with alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) in neuronal and microglial activation at the spinal cord, an important relay station of nociceptive transmission. Because of the role of the potassium chloride co-transporter 2 (KCC2) in neuronal activation at the spinal cord and the influence of microglia in KCC2 expression, we also evaluated the effects of alpha-LA in KCC2 expression at the spinal cord. Methods: Four weeks after STZ injection, the rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of alpha-LA (100 mg/kg), during 2 weeks. Mechanical nociception was evaluated before and after alpha-LA treatment. Spinal cords were immunoreacted against 8-OH-dG (marker of oxidative stress damage), Fos (marker of neuronal activation) and CD11b (marker of microglia). KCC2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Results: Treatment with alpha-LA decreased the 8-OH-dG and Fos expressions to controls' levels, but did not affect CD11b. Treatment with alpha-LA alleviated mechanical hyperalgesia and partially corrected KCC2 expression. Conclusions: This study shows that neuronal hyperactivity at the spinal cord of STZ-diabetic rats can be corrected by alpha-LA, which may account for alleviation of mechanical hyperalgesia. These effects are probably partially mediated by KCC2, but are independent from microglia.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6