Co-administration of α-Lipoic Acid and Vitamin C Protects Liver and Brain Oxidative Stress in Mice Exposed to Arsenic Contaminated Water

Abstract

Arsenic is one of the most hazardous substances in the environment known to cause toxicity in multiple organs via generation of oxidative stress. The molecular basis for arsenic toxicity involves direct or indirect damage to protein, lipid and DNA. Several studies have focused on possible toxic effects on membrane components and have identified a correlation between these effects of arsenic-induced oxidative damage. This study was aimed to evaluate arsenic-induced oxidative stress in the liver and brain following chronic exposure in mouse and also the protective efficacy of co-administrating with two naturally occurring antioxidants (α-lipoic acid and vitamin C) either individually or in combination. Thirty male mice were exposed to sodium arsenite (50 ppm) alone, as well as to α-lipoic acid (10 mg/kg) and vitamin C either alone or in combination. We observed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, intracellular calcium, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caspase activity, while there was a significant decrease in antioxidant enzymes and ATPase activity on arsenite exposure in mice. These alterations were marginally restored by co-administration of vitamin C and α-lipoid acid individually, while significant recovery was observed in the animals supplemented with both the antioxidants together with arsenite in mice. The results indicate that arsenite-induced oxidative stress can be significantly protected by co-administration of α-lipoic acid and vitamin C individually, but the best effects could be observed with combined administration of two antioxidants during arsenite exposure in animals.