RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GLUTATHIONE AND DL ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID AGAINST CADMIUM-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY

Cadmium, a divalent metal toxicant, preferentially localizes in hepato cytes and causes liver injury. DL alpha-lipoic acid is a dithiol which is effective in rendering protection against cadmium - associated liv er damage, by virtue of its two sulfhydryl moieties. Lipoate was admin istered to cadmium-exposed rats which were either prior administered w ith buthionine sulfoximine to deplete liver glutathione or not. During lipoate treatment, significant protection was rendered against cadmiu m toxicity even under glutathione-depleted experimental condition. Thi s highlights the antioxidant property of lipoic acid and its efficacy in mitigating cadmium - associated liver assault even in the absence o f glutathione synthesis.