Chromate, or Cr(6+,) is carcinogenic, probably due to damage to the DNA. Cr(6+) causes free radical formation which is toxic to DNA and can lead to carcinogenesis. Treatment studies of Cr(6+) using N-acetyl carnitine (NAC,) EGCG from green tea, vitamin E and vitamin C show little benefit.
Lipoic acid (LA or alpha lipoic acid,) an antioxidant, is the focus of the present study, along with the reduced form, di-hydrolipoic acid (DHLA.) LA is a strong antioxidant which can reactivate vitamin E, vitamin C and glutathione (GSH.)
The present study was of the ability of LA to reduce mouse mononuclear white cell and bone marrow DNA damage from Cr(6+) exposure. Electrophoresis techniques were used. Potassium dichromate was used as the toxin in this study. The DNA damage caused was proportional to the CR(6+) dose used. The theory is that LA prevents cancer by preventing and repairing DNA damage.
In this study, LA was found to be protective from Cr(6+)-induced DNA damage. The highest benefit was seen at the highest LA doses. LA was found to be chemopreventive (prevented damage if given at the same time as chromate) and chemotherapeutic (repaired damage if given after chromate.)
The method by which LA worked against DNA damage appeared to be as an antioxidant and by metal chelation (binding of toxic metal.) DHLA and LA scavenge a number of reactive oxygen species. LA chelates Mn(2+,) Cu(2+,) Zn(2+,) and Fe(2+.) LA and DHLA react with reactive nitric oxide species. Cr(6+) causes DNA damage in the presence of ascorbate and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2.) only.
Cr(6+) is an occupational hazard for metal workers, especially if they breathe the fumes. Cr(6+) increases ulcer formation and respiratory cancers, especially, bronchogenic and nasal cancers.
CONCLUSION: Lipoic acid is preventive and therapeutic for the toxicity of chromate by reducing DNA damage and the risk of cancer.
NOTE: Glutathione is an important enzyme in the process of detoxification in the body.
Read a list of foods that are high in alpha lipoic acid. Read about the value of alpha lipoic acid in diabetic neuropathy.
PMID: 19710206.
Summary #452.
