Figure 1.

Experimental protocol. In the control group (C, n = 12), rats received regular chow and were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with saline solution for 2 weeks/month over 12 weeks. In the lipoic acid-treated group (AL, n = 12), rats received regular chow and were injected i.p. with 50 mg/kg/day alpha-lipoic acid for 2 weeks/month during 12 weeks. In the fructose-fed group (F, n = 12), rats received chow supplemented with fructose (60%) and were injected i.p. with saline solution for 2 weeks/month over 12 weeks. In the fructose-fed group treated with alpha-lipoic acid (F + AL, n = 12), rats received chow supplemented with fructose (60%) and were injected with the same dose of alpha-lipoic acid as the previous group. The rats were sacrificed after 12 weeks of diet and chronic discontinuous treatment.