Alpha-lipoic acid as a modulator of healing in an animal model of pressure injury: Inflammatory implications and its relationship with depressive disorders.

This study evaluated the wound-healing effects of topical alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in a mice pressure injury (PI) model and its association with behavioral and neurochemical alterations. Male Swiss mice (25-30 g) were assigned to control, SHAM, base cream, ALA cream, or alginate hydrogel groups. PI was induced through a 4-day ischemia/reperfusion protocol, followed by 10 days of treatment. Behavioral tests included the open field, splash, tail suspension, and social interaction tests. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HC), and lesion tissue were collected to assess myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Lesion tissue was also analyzed for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), healing progression, and histological parameters. SHAM animals exhibited reduced locomotor activity, increased immobility, impaired grooming, social withdrawal, weight loss, and elevated MPO and TNF-α levels. All treatments reversed some of these effects, but ALA cream consistently showed the most robust outcomes. It was the only treatment to maintain improved locomotion on day 10, fully restore grooming behavior, reverse weight loss, and promote angiogenesis. Additionally, ALA significantly reduced MPO and TNF-α levels in both central and peripheral tissues. Histological analysis confirmed reduced inflammation and enhanced vascular proliferation in ALA-treated wounds. These findings suggest that topical ALA promotes wound healing and may exert indirect antidepressant-like effects via modulation of inflammation. Given its accessibility and dual therapeutic action, ALA represents a promising candidate for improving wound healing and exerts an indirect antidepressant-like effect.