Influence of alpha lipoic acid on epithelial apoptosis in experimental periodontitis

Aim: Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant. Its antiinflammatory effects and apoptotic mechanism have recently been studied in many diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ALA on apoptotic activity in the treatment of periodontitis. Materials and methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control (without ligature), PED (ligature + placebo, saline; oral gavage), and ALA+PED (ligature + alpha lipoic acid at 50 mg/kg/day in saline; oral gavage). Histological and biochemical analyses were performed on the mandibular first molars of sacrificed rats. Results: Biochemical myeloperoxidase activity in gingivo-mucosal tissue was measured. For immunohistochemical evaluation, tissue sections were stained with Bax, Bcl-2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and 8-OHdG antibodies by streptavidin-biotinperoxidase staining. Immunohistochemical results showed that apoptotic activity decreased in the periodontitis group. 8-OHdG reactivity increased in the ALA-administered group. Conclusion: ALA exhibited proapoptotic and antiinflammatory effects on gingivo-mucosal epithelium in the periodontitis.