Effect of DL- α -Lipoic Acid on the Status of Lipids and Membrane-Bound ATPases in Various Brain Regions of Aged Rats

Abstract

Aging is one of the absolute certainities of life. A wide variety of anatomical and histological alterations are common in the brain of aged individuals. Alterations in the activities of membrane-bound ATPases are expected to exert a significant impact on the electrophysiological and metabolic functions of the brain. Altered membrane potential may be responsible for age-associated neuronal changes. Young and old Wistar strain male albino rats were treated with lipoic acid for 7 and 14 days. We analyzed the lipid levels and ATPase activities in several brain regions, including the cortex, cerebellum, striatum, hypothalamus, and hippocampus. In aged rats, lipid levels were high, while membrane-bound ATPases activities were low. Administration of lipoate led to a duration-dependent reduction in the levels of lipid(cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and free fatty acids) and an elevation in either Na⁺K⁺ or Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ATPase activities. Results of the present study show that lipoate, a thiol antioxidant, can lower lipid levels and increase membrane-bound ATPases activities both vital for normal brain functions in aged rats.