RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the protective effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on the liver, oxidative parameters, and signal peptide-CUB-epidermal growth factor-like domain-containing proteins 1 and 2 (SCUBE-1 and -2) in an experimental cholestatic hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four female rats were included in the study and divided into four groups of six rats each. Group 1 was the control group, in which only laparotomy was performed; Group 2 underwent laparotomy and received alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on a daily basis; bile duct ligation was performed in Group 3; bile duct ligation was performed, and ALA was administered to Group 4. All rats underwent relaparotomy on the seventh day, followed by 30 minutes of hepatic ischemia and 60 minutes of reperfusion in Groups 3 and 4. Liver tissue and blood samples were taken for histopathological and biochemical examinations. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), albumin, ischemia modified albumin (IMA), SCUBE-1, SCUBE-2, total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were also examined. RESULTS: The SCUBE-1 and SCUBE-2 values in Group 4 were lower than in Group 3, but no significant difference was observed between all the groups. The AST, TBIL, and DBIL levels were significantly higher in Groups 3 and 4 than in Groups 1 and 2 (p<0.0001). Although TOS was the highest in Group 3, the measurements were similar across the groups (p=0.464). IMA and TAS were similar between Groups 3 and 4 but significantly higher in these groups than in Groups 1 and 2 (p=0.001). The hepatic injury observed in Groups 3 and 4 was significantly higher than that observed in Groups 1 and 2 (p<0.0001). In the histopathological examination, neutrophilic infiltration and bile duct proliferation were less commonly detected in the portal areas in Group 4 than in Group 3, and necrotic foci were not observed due to the administration of ALA. CONCLUSIONS: The promising effects of ALA, known for its powerful antioxidant properties, on the IR injury of the liver can allow it to enter clinical practice in the future.