Abstract: Objective: To observe the effects of α-lipoic acid on oxidative stress and structure of vascular endothelial cell in hyperuricemia rats. Methods: 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups, which were the control group, the model group and α-lipoic acid intervention groups .The model group and intervention groups were established to be hyperuricemia rats according to the reference. After three weeks, intervention groups were given different dose α-lipoic acid for fourteen days. At the end of experiment, serum UA, SOD ,GSH-Px, CAT and MDA were assayed. SOD and CAT protein expression of thoracic aorta were detected with Westernblot and thoracic aorta’s structure was observed with light microscope and electron microscope. Results:The activities of UA,SOD,GSH-Px and CAT of hyperuricemia rats were lower than the control group, the MDA level of hyperuricemia rats was higher than the control group, and the protein expression of SOD and CAT were lower than the control group（P<0.05）. After α-lipoic acid intervention, UA and MDA of hyperuricemia rat were decreased among three intervention groups, SOD’s activities were increased in high group and medium group (P<0.05).The protein expression of SOD and CAT were increased in medium and high groups(P<0.05).It showed electron under electron microscope that hyperuricemia rat’s endothelial was edema, shedding and mitochondria swelling.After α-lipoic acid intervention,the medium and high dose groups were found that mitochondria had a transient increasing and edema endothelial cells was improved.Conclusion: α-lipoic acid could increase the activity and the protein expression of anti-oxidant enzymes, and relieve hyperuracemia rat’s oxidative stress,which could protect endothelial cells.

Key words: hyperuricemia, α-lipoic acid, oxidative stress, endothelial cell