Efeito protetor do ácido alfa lipóico sobre a lesão hepática, induzida por dapsona em modelo animal

Abstract

The liver is the main organ involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics, with the ability to convert hydrophobic compounds into water soluble, more easily eliminated by the body. Dapsone (DDS) is part of the multidrug therapy (MDT) of leprosy treatment, its metabolite is related to the generation of free radicals in hematological and neural cells, being thus directly involved in the main adverse reactions caused by its use. Due to its conversion cycle, which involves the reaction with iron present in the liver, DDS also accumulates in the liver, remaining longer in this organ, thus favoring tissue damage, such as drug hepatitis. In this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) on the liver damage caused by DDS in mice, after treatment. In this study, treatment with dapsone induced hepatic damage, with increase of Aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, as well as oxidative stress, by increasing lipid peroxidation and decreasing both glutathione levels and total antioxidants. These processes may be associated with accumulation of hepatic iron in the body. Already post-treatment with the antioxidant Alpha Lipoic Acid, this was able to decrease the levels of Aspartate aminotransferase and Alkaline Phosphatase, reverse lipid peroxidation and raise levels of GSH and total antioxidants. In addition, ALA also inhibited the accumulation of hepatic iron induced by dapsone in mice. Our results indicate that the antioxidant tested has a therapeutic potential against hepatic damage caused by dapsone in patients with leprosy.