Effects of Lipoic Acid on Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury

Abstract

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury often occurred in some pathologies and surgeries. I/R injury not only harmed to physiological functions of corresponding organ and tissue but also induced multiple tissue or organ dysfunctions (even these in distant locations). Although the reperfusion of blood attenuated I/R injury to a certain degree, the risk of secondary damages was difficult to be controlled and it even caused failures of these tissues and organs. Lipoic acid (LA), as an endogenous active substance and a functional agent in food, owns better safety and effects in our body (e.g., enhancing antioxidant activity, improving cognition and dementia, controlling weight, and preventing multiple sclerosis, diabetes complication, and cancer). The literature searching was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and SCOPUS from inception to 20 May 2021. It had showed that endogenous LA was exhausted in the process of I/R, which further aggravated I/R injury. Thus, supplements with LA timely (especially pretreatments) may be the prospective way to prevent I/R injury. Recently, studies had demonstrated that LA supplements significantly attenuated I/R injuries of many organs, though clinic investigations were short at present. Hence, it was urgent to summarize these progresses about the effects of LA on different I/R organs as well as the potential mechanisms, which would enlighten further investigations and prepare for clinic applications in the future.

Renal-Protective Roles of Lipoic Acid in Kidney Disease

“…Ischemia occurs when there is a decrease in blood perfusion and the blood flow to organs is reduced [ 74 ]; this is due to many causes, such as thrombi, trauma, and atherosclerosis [ 75 ]. To prevent tissue damage and necrosis, ischemia is resolved by reperfusion [ 75 ].…”

“…Ischemia occurs when there is a decrease in blood perfusion and the blood flow to organs is reduced [ 74 ]; this is due to many causes, such as thrombi, trauma, and atherosclerosis [ 75 ]. To prevent tissue damage and necrosis, ischemia is resolved by reperfusion [ 75 ]. Although ischemic reperfusion is essential to prevent tissue necrosis, it can also cause inflammation and an increase in reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species [ 75 , 76 , 77 ].…”

“…To prevent tissue damage and necrosis, ischemia is resolved by reperfusion [ 75 ]. Although ischemic reperfusion is essential to prevent tissue necrosis, it can also cause inflammation and an increase in reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species [ 75 , 76 , 77 ]. Studies have shown that pretreatment of ALA can ameliorate damage to the kidneys, retina, nervous system, liver, intestines, and more [ 75 ].…”

“…Although ischemic reperfusion is essential to prevent tissue necrosis, it can also cause inflammation and an increase in reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species [ 75 , 76 , 77 ]. Studies have shown that pretreatment of ALA can ameliorate damage to the kidneys, retina, nervous system, liver, intestines, and more [ 75 ]. The underlying protective mechanisms of ALA in renal ischemia reperfusion injury may be multifactorial, including counteracting oxidative damage [ 32 , 75 ] and downregulation of channels, enzymes, and transporters, such as aquaporins and sodium transporters, as well as sodium-potassium ATPase and nitric oxide synthase isoforms [ 78 ].…”

Chlorpromazine and Promethazine (C+P) Reduce Brain Injury after Ischemic Stroke through the PKC-δ/NOX/MnSOD Pathway

“…Reperfusion strategies, such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and thrombectomy, are the standard for treating acute ischemic stroke and have been the primary focus of technological advances in stroke therapy [2]. However, even in the event of successful recanalization, morbidity rates remain high and clinical outcomes are often poor due to complicating reperfusion injury [3,4]. It is imperative to explore other therapeutic methods, such as neuroprotective and neuro-rehabilitative strategies, to maximize functional outcomes and patient quality of life.…”