Differential activity of lipoic acid enantiomers in cell culture
Smith, J.R.; Thiagaraj, H.V.; Seaver, B.; Parker, K.K.
Journal of Herbal PharmacoTherapy 5(3): 43-54
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1522-8940 PMID: 16520297 Document Number: 587026
It is unclear whether the two enantiomeric forms (R & S) of lipoic acid (LA) share similar pharmacological activity and the exact cellular targets of LA are not well identified. We oxidatively stressed 3 cell culture systems representing different cell types. Mitochondrial metabolism was the primary endpoint. When C6 glioma was damaged by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), all forms of LA protected. Racemic and S-LA were less effective than the R-isomer that was also protective in tertiary butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-damaged C6 glioma. In PC12 cells, little damage was produced by TBHP; R-LA increased mitochondrial metabolism above the level of non-damaged control. In H2O2 damaged PC12 cells, R-LA and racemic LA (but not S-LA) not only protected against damage, but increased mitochondrial metabolism above the non-damaged control level. When BAE cells were damaged with H2O2, R- and racemic LA protected while S-LA was ineffective.