Effects of glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid on striatum neuron apoptosis induced by manganese in rats

  Objective   To study the effects of g lutathione(GSH)and alpha-lipoic acid(LA)on rats brain oxidative damage and striatum neuron apo ptosis induced by manganese.

  Methods   32 Wistar rats were divided into control, manganese chlor ide (MnCl₂), GSH and LA group by weight at random.Control group was injected 0.9% sodium chloride intraperitoneally.Other groups were injected 150 μmol/(kg·bw)MnCl₂ intraper itoneally.2 hours later, control and MnCl₂ group were injected 0.9% sodium chloride subcutaneously, while GSH and LA group were injected 35 μmol/(kg·bw)LA and 1 mmol/(kg·bw) GSH subcutaneously respectively.All groups were administrated 5 times per week, and inter vened once every ot her day.The experimental period was 4 weeks.Then levels of GSH, malony dialdehyde(MDA)and activities of glutathione perox idase(GSH-Px)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in the brain were determined; and striatum neuron apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method.

  Results   Levels of MDA in MnCl₂ group were higher than that in control group, and levels of MDA in GSH and LA group were lower than that in MnCl₂ group.Apoptosis rate of striatum neuron in MnCl₂ group was higher than that in control, GSH and LA group.

  Conclusion   Treatment with GSH and LA on rats could antagonize oxidative damage of brain and striatum neuron apoptosis induced by manganese.