Melatonin and alpha lipoic acid as possible therapies for lopinavir/ritonavir-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats

The use of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) has decreased morbidity and mortality due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); however its use could be impaired by hepatotoxicity. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of melatonin (MT) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on LPV/r-induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats.
Rats were divided into groups and treated with MT (10 mg/kg/day), ALA (10 mg/kg/day) and LPV/r (22.9/5.71, 45.6/11.4 and 91.2/22.9 mg/kg/day) for 60 days respectively. Rats were pretreated with MT (10 mg/kg), ALA (10 mg/kg) and combined doses of ALA and MT prior to treatment with LPV/r (22.9/5.71, 45.6/11.4 and 91.2/22.9 mg/kg/day) for 60 days. Rats were sacrificed and serum was collected and evaluated for liver enzymes. The liver was harvested and evaluated for malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) levels.
Significant (P Results of this study showed that MT and ALA could be used for the treatment of LPV/r associated hepatotoxicity.