The effects of alpha lipoic acid in preventing oxidative stress-induced retinal pigment epithelial cell injury

This study evaluated the protective effect of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) in human adult retinal pigment epithelium cells (ARPE-19). An RPE oxidative stress model was established in ARPE-19 cells. Cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI staining and Hoechst33342 staining. Autophagy activation was evaluated by formation of acidic vesicular organelles (AVO) as well as protein expression of Atg5 and LC3. Akt phosphorylation and Bax protein expression were measured using western blot. Exogenous H2O2 significantly increased intracellular ROS concentration and decreased the viability of ARPE-19 cells in a dose-dependent way. H2O2 (12.5 mu mol/L) induced early stage apoptosis, significantly decreased Akt phosphorylation, and increased Bax protein level 4 h after stimulation. H2O2 (12.5 mu mol/L) significantly increased AVO formation, mRNA and protein levels of Atg-5, and protein expression of LC3 I and II. Treatment of ARPE-19 cells with 37.5 mu mol/L ALA significantly blocked increased intracellular ROS level, apoptosis, AVO formation, as well as elevation of Atg5, LC3 I, and II protein levels induced by 12.5 mu mol/L H2O2. Exogenous H2O2 induces apoptosis and activation of autophagy in human adult retinal pigment epithelium cells through Akt-Bax signaling. ALA is effective in protecting RPE cells from H2O2-induced cell death.