Alpha-lipoic acid inhibits peridural fibrosis following laminectomy through the inactivation of TGF-β1, PDGF, PAI-1 and IL-6 expressions.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the antifibrotic effect of parenteral administration of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), which has been reported to reduce fibrosis in the liver, oral mucosa, and peritoneum, in laminectomized rabbits as a potential candidate for the prevention of peridural fibrosis. Twelve adult New Zealand white male rabbits were divided into control (n=6) and ALA treatment groups (n=6). Laminectomy of the lumbar spine was performed in all animals, and ALA was administered intramuscularly in six rabbits composing the treatment group. Total RNA obtained from the paraffin-embedded tissues was analyzed for transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), plateletderived growth factor (PDGF), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). mRNA investigations showed that TGF-β1, PDGF, PAI-1 and IL-6 gene expressions, which constitute strong evidence for the development of fibrosis, were significantly lower in the treatment group compared with the results obtained from the control group. According to the histological peridural grading, the ALA-treated group showed significantly less peridural fibrosis than the control group. Intramuscular administration of ALA is a promising treatment for the prevention of peridural fibrosis in the postoperative period.