Alpha-lipoic acid protects nerve cells from chemotherapy damage.

Alpha-lipoic acid protects against nerve cell damage due to chemotherapy drugs in a rat model, with possible implications for prevention of peripheral neuropathy (nerve cell degeneration and chronic pain) in patients undergoing chemotherapy. *

Experiments were performed in vitro to simulate chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Rat neurons in culture were treated separately with cisplatin and paclitaxel, two common chemotherapy drugs known to cause neurotoxicity. Administered dosages were similar to those used during actual chemotherapy. In some cultures, the chemotherapy drugs were added three hours after pretreatment with alpha-lipoic acid.

Cisplatin and paclitaxel given alone caused marked neuronal damage, cell death, and a decrease in functioning mitochondria (i.e., reduced cellular energy production), but application of alpha-lipoic acid prevented these damaging effects.

According to the authors, "these findings suggest that alpha-lipoic acid might reduce the risk of developing peripheral nerve toxicity in patients undergoing chemotherapy and encourage further confirmatory clinical trials."

--Laura J. Ninger, ELS

Reference

* Melli G, Taiana M, Camozzi F, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid prevents mitochondrial damage and neurotoxicity in experimental chemotherapy neuropathy. Exp Neurol. 2008 Sep 9.