The influence of apocynin, lipoic acid and probiotics on antioxidant enzyme levels in the pulmonary tissues of obese asthmatic mice.

Unlabelled: Bronchial asthma and obesity are common health problems. Obesity is already responsible for 300,000 deaths per year.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to assess whether apocynin, alpha lipoic acid and probiotic administration in combination with low-fat diet supplementation influences the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the pulmonary tissues of obese asthmatic mice.

Main Methods: The study was performed on male C57/BL6 mice divided into 10 groups: (I) control; (II) asthma; (III) obesity; (IV) asthma + obesity; (V) asthma + obesity + apocynin p.o. 15 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks; (VI) asthma + obesity + low-fat diet for 12 weeks; (VII) asthma + obesity + low-fat diet for 12 weeks with apocynin p.o. 15 mg/kg/day; (VIII) asthma + obesity + low-fat diet with probiotics for 12 weeks; (IX) asthma + obesity + low-fat diet for 12 weeks with lipoic acid p.o. 100 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks; (X) asthma + obesity + standard diet with probiotics for 12 weeks. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activity were examined. The administration of apocynin alone and apocynin in combination with a low-fat diet resulted in a significant increase in SOD values (respectively p < 0.001; p = 0.010). Application of probiotics resulted in a decrease in CAT activity (p = 0.037) and an increase in GPx activity (p < 0.001) compared to obese asthmatic mice. The administration of lipoic acid resulted in an increase in GR activity (p = 0.024 vs. control).

Key Findings: Supplementation containing apocynin, lipoic acid and probiotics has a positive influence on the antioxidant capacity of the pulmonary tissues of obese asthmatic mice.

Significance: These results may contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches.