Therapeutic Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid on High-Dose Ibuprofen-Induced Renal Damage in Rats
Methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=7): Control, Alpha-lipoic acid (100 mg/kg), Ibuprofen (250 mg/kg), and Ibuprofen+Alpha-lipoic acid. Ibuprofen was administered orally for 21 days, while alpha-lipoic acid was given during the last 7 days. Histopathological changes were evaluated using Hematoxylin & Eosin, Masson’s Trichrome, and Periodic Acid–Schiff staining. Fibrotic and inflammatory markers (TGF-β1, α-SMA, TLR-4) were assessed immunohistochemically. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde levels and superoxide dismutase activity.
Results: Ibuprofen administration resulted in significant tubular degeneration, hydropic changes, necrosis, tubular dilatation, and hyperemia. Masson’s Trichrome staining showed a significant increase in collagen deposition, while Periodic Acid-Schiff staining revealed glomerular and tubular basement membrane thickening. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated marked upregulation of TGF-β1, α-SMA, and TLR-4 (P<0.001). Biochemically, malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased (P<0.01) and superoxide dismutase activity was markedly decreased (P<0.001) compared to controls. Alpha-lipoic acid treatment significantly ameliorated these changes, reducing fibrosis and inflammatory marker expression and restoring malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase levels toward normal (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Alpha-lipoic acid exerts renoprotective effects against ibuprofen-induced nephrotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress, modulating fibrotic pathways, and improving renal histoarchitecture, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent in drug-induced kidney injury.
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Article Information
- Article Type Research Article
- Submitted February 21, 2026
- Published January 31, 2026
- Issue Volume 12 - Issue 2 (February 2026)
- Section Research Article
