Effect of lipoic acid on the activity of caspases and the characteristics of the immune and antioxidant statuses in rats with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The activity of caspase-3, caspase-8, superoxide dismutase, and catalase and the content of circulating immune complexes and immunoglobulins A, M, and G in the blood serum and muscles of rats in the norm, in experimental rheumatoid arthritis, and by the action of lipoic acid against the background of progressive pathology have been studied. The induction of rheumatoid arthritis in rats was accompanied by an increase in marker parameters and immune status indices, as well as in the activity of caspase-3, caspase-8, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, which was probably caused by excessive generation of reactive oxygen species during the development of pathology. The administration of lipoic acid to rats with rheumatoid arthritis led to a normalization of the parameters, which was evidently due to the capacity of the compound to produce the antioxidant effect and reduce the severity of autoimmune diseases.