SHOCK, cilt.33, sa.5, ss.479-484, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
One of the common lethal complications of septic shock, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with severe trauma and so on, is acute lung injury. alpha-Lipoic acid (ALA), with antioxidant properties, is a popular agent. Thus, we investigated the potential protective effects of ALA (200 mg/kg) on sepsis-induced acute lung injury. Rats were exposed to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis. Rat groups were designed as (a) sham operated, (b) sham operated + ALA treated, (c) CLP applied, (d) CLP + ALA treated. Sixteen hours after CLP induction, serum samples and lung tissues were obtained for biochemical and histopathological examination. alpha-Lipoic acid decreased the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6, which increased after CLP. Increased activity of nuclear factor. B in septic lung tissues was decreased by ALA. alpha-Lipoic acid improved the decreased antioxidant activity and alleviated the increased oxidant activity, which occurred after CLP application. We can suggest that ALA showed beneficial effects by decreasing nuclear factor. B activation in lung tissues, resulting in decreased serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, and also increasing the antioxidant capacity of the lungs.