Alpha-lipoic acid inhibits oxidative DNA damage of some organs induced by 4-tert-octylphenol exposure in rats

Endocrine disputer chemicals (EDCs) such as 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), are a class of exogenous pollutants that can interfere with normal physiological processes, resulting in a number of health issues. Therefore, the goal of the current study is to determine how well α -lipoic acid (LA) protects against DNA damage brought on by OP. Forty male albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Group I (control group) not received any material, group II (αLA-group) received α-lipoic acid (40 mg/kg/ day), group III (OP-group) received 4-tert-octylphenol (50 mg/kg/ day), and group IV(protective group) received 4-tert-octylphenol (50 mg/kg/ day) plus α-lipoic acid (40 mg\ kg/ day) for a period of 30 days. The DNA fragmentations were detected in tissues of hypothalamus, pituitary gland and testis using agarose gel electrophoresis and bands were visualized under UV light and the total DNA concentration in samples were also measured spectrophotometrically. Rats administered OP showed significant (p < 0.05) rising of DNA damage levels in pituitary gland and testis tissues and non-significantly (p >0.05) increase in hypothalamus tissue. On other hand, αLA treatment showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in DNA damage levels.