Evaluation of the effects of alpha lipoic acid on bone resorption in the osteoporotic rat model

Osteoporosis which is characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to increased bone fragility and and fracture probability, is a systemic diseaseOxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Osteoporosis. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is powerful antioxidant which has potent effects in the enhancement of antioxidant defense system. ALA can inhibit bone loss by suppressing osteoclastic bone resorptionThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of alpha lipoic acid on bone resorption in the osteoporotic rat model75 skeletally mature female Wistar rats were used. The animals were randomly divided into 3 groups. SHAM group, Ovx group and ALA group. Animals in Ovx and ALA were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy and SHAM group animals were sham operated. ALA group recieved 50mg/kg/day alpha lipoic acid with intraperitoneal injection for 60 days.All animals were sacrificed on the 60st postoperative day. Digital radiodensitometric analysis, and histomorphometric examinations were performed on the harvested right mandibular condyle, left femur and 5.lumbar vertebrae. The data were statistically analyzed. Histomorphometric and radiodensitometric analyses showed that SHAM group had normal trabecular structure. Ovx group had detoriated trabecular structure. Trabecular bone volume, trabecular thickness and width was lower in Ovx group. than in SHAM group. And significant improvement in trabecular structure in ALA group compared with Ovx groupResults of this study suggest that administration of alpha lipoic acid reduce the bone resorption in postmenapousal women osteoporosis