Protective effect of maternal exposure to α-lipoic acid during pregnancy and lactation on susceptibility to OVA-induced neonatal asthma.

Purpose: To investigate the beneficial effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) during pregnancy and lactation on susceptibility to ovalbumin (OVA)-induced neonatal asthma, and the mechanism of involved. Methods: Pregnant BALB/c mice were administered ALA (1 % mixed with mouse chow) or standard mouse chow from 6th day of gestation to 21st day of lactation (postnatal). The offspring (neonatal pups) from the OVA and ALA+OVA groups were sensitized on 1st, 7th and 14th postnatal days (PNDs) via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of OVA (0.5 µg). Control mice pups were not exposed to OVA. On PND 21, all pubs were again exposed to 1 % OVA aerosol using a nebulizer. Results: Neonatal mice exposed to ALA showed a significant decline (p < 0.05) in the number of inflammatory cells (eosinophils), levels of inflammatory markers (IL-4, IL-13, IL-5 and TNF-a) as well as OVA-specific IgE and total IgE, when compared to neonatal mice from pregnant mice that did not receive ALA (control). Moreover, the antioxidant profiles of ALA-treated mice offspring were significantly improved (p < 0.05). Marked downregulation (p < 0.05) of the protein expressions of NF-κB p-p65 subunit and TNF-a were observed in ALA-treated mice pups. Conclusion: ALA exposure during pregnancy (maternal exposure) markedly decreases OVA-induced asthmatic airway inflammatory response in pups. Thus, ALA might be beneficial for use along with standard anti-asthmatic drugs in the management of pediatric asthmatic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]