Lipoic acid blocks seizures induced by pilocarpine via increases in δ-aminolevulinic dehydratase and Na+, K+-ATPase activity in rat brain

Abstract In the present study we investigated the effects of lipoic acid (LA) on δ-aminolevulinic dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) and Na + , K + -ATPase activities in rat brain after seizures induction by pilocarpine. Wistar rats were treated with 0.9% saline (i.p., control group), lipoic acid (10 mg/kg, i.p., LA group), pilocarpine (400 mg/kg, i.p., pilocarpine group), or the combination of LA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) with pilocarpine (400 mg/kg, i.p.), 30 min before administration of LA (LA plus pilocarpine group). After the treatments all groups were observed for 1 h. The enzyme activities (δ-ALA-D and Na + , K + -ATPase) were measured using spectrophotometric methods, and the results were compared with that obtained from saline and pilocarpine-treated animals. Neuroprotective effects of LA against seizures were evaluated based on those enzyme activities. The pilocarpine group showed a reduction in δ-ALA-D and Na + , K + -ATPase activities after seizures. In turn, LA plus pilocarpine abolished the appearance of seizures and reversed the decreased in δ-ALA-D and Na + , K + -ATPase activities produced by seizures, when compared to the pilocarpine seizing group. The results from the present study demonstrate that preadministration of LA abolished seizure episodes induced by pilocarpine in rat, probably by increasing δ-ALA-D and Na + , K + -ATPase activities in rat brain during seizures.