Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on visual evoked potentials in rats exposed to sulfite

This study aimed to investigate the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) administration on sulfite-induced alterations in visual evoked potentials (VEPs). Fifty two male albino Wistar rats were randomized into four experimental groups as follows; control (C), LA treated (L), sodium metabisulfite (Na2S2O5) treated (S), Na2S2O5 + LA treated (SL). Na2S2O5 (260 mg/kg/day) and LA (100 mg/kg/day) were given by intragastric intubation for 5 weeks. The latencies of VEP components were significantly prolonged in the S group and returned to control levels following LA administration. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in the S group were significantly higher than those detected in controls. LA significantly decreased brain and retina TBARS levels in the SL group compared with the S group. Sulfite caused a significant decrease in retina and brain glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities which was restored to control levels via LA administration. Brain glutathione (GSH):glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio was significantly increased in rats jointly treated with sulfite and LA compared to rats treated with sulfite alone. Though not significant, a similar increase in GSH:GSSG ratio was also observed in the retina of SL group. This study showed that LA is protective against sulfite-induced VEP alterations and oxidative stress in the brain and retina.