title: Effect of vitamin C in modulating the hypothermic influence on nerve conduction.
abstract: The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different degrees of hypothermia on nerve conduction and the possible beneficial effect of vitamin C in the amelioration of the impairment in nerve conduction due to hypothermia. Sixty male Wistar rats, 225-250 g, were randomly divided into two equal groups of untreated controls and vitamin C treated experimental groups. Sciatic nerve conduction and nerve temperature (Tn) were recorded at different degrees of hypothermia by step-wise lowering of rectal temperature (Tr) from 38 to 20 degrees C. A regression analysis showed a positive linear relationship of Tr with nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and with Tn in both groups (p < 0.001). There was also a positive linear relationship between Tn and NCV in both groups: control, p < 0.001; experimental, p < 0.05. Comparisons between the regression equations of Tr with NCV, Tr with Tn, and Tn with NCV showed significant differences between the two groups (p < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between Tr and the amplitude of the action potential. Vitamin C may have a protective effect against the impairment of NCV due to hypothermia.
authors.affiliation: Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Panjwani
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Selvamurthy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D051381:Rats; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid