Abstract: SA-PO822
Effect of the Dietary Antioxidant Supplement Alpha Lipoic Acid on Nuclear Reduced Glutathione Levels in Kidney Cortex and Medulla from Young Rats
Session Information
- Health Maintenance, Nutrition, Metabolism - II
November 09, 2019 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
- 1300 Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
Authors
- Zamlauski-Tucker, Marianna J., Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States
- Ye, Bingwei, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States
Background
Supplementation with antioxidants, such as alpha lipoic acid, are thought to be beneficial since they can increase the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) inside cells. GSH is the major antioxidant inside cells and provides protection against damage by free radicals produced as a consequence of oxidative metabolism. Previous studies have reported that GSH levels in mitochondria from kidney, liver and heart are significantly increased with alpha lipoic acid supplementation in old rats, but not in young rats.This suggest that dietary antioxidant supplementation may not always be beneficial in young rats. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the nucleus in kidneys from young rats does respond to alpha lipoic acid supplementation with an increase in GSH levels.
Methods
Young female Experimental Lewis rats (3 months of age; n=7) received alpha lipoic acid (100 mg/Kg) via i.p injection for one week. Age-matched Control rats (n=4) did not receive any supplementation. The kidneys were harvested from anesthetized rats, and the cortex and medulla were separated and homogenized. The nuclear fractions were isolated using differential centrifugation. The GSH and total glutathione (Tot GLUT; GSH plus oxidized GSH) were measured with a spectrophotometric assay. The GSSG (oxidized GSH) levels were determined from the difference between Tot GLUT and GSH levels, and then divided by 2. Comparisons were done using a Student's T Test.
Results
There was a significant increase in nuclear GSH levels in the kidney cortex and medulla with dietary supplementation with alpha lipoic acid. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in nuclear GSSG levels. Nuclear Tot GLUT levels did not change or were decreased following supplementation.
Conclusion
The nucleus in kidney cells from young rats does respond to alpha lipoic acid supplementation with an increase in GSH levels.
Effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Nuclear GSH Levels in Young Rat Kidney
| GSH-nmol/g kid wet wt | GSSG-nmol/g kid wet wt | Tot GLUT-nmol/g kid wet wt | ||||
| Control | Experimental | Control | Experimental | Control | Experimental | |
| Cortex | 182 ± 21 | 265 ± 21* | 108 ± 25 | 35 ± 5* | 322 ± 46 | 328 ± 25 |
| Medulla | 180 ± 17 | 231 ± 9* | 122 ± 15 | 46 ± 15* | 513 ± 38 | 315 ± 40* |
All data shown as X +/- SEM. * Significantly different from Control at p<0.05.