title: Effects of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol on arsenic-induced oxidative stress.
abstract: Arsenic is an ubiquitous element in the environment causing oxidative burst in the exposed individuals leading to tissue damage. Antioxidants have long been known to reduce the free radical-mediated oxidative stress. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine whether supplementation of alpha-tocopherol (400 mg/kg body weight) and ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg body weight) to arsenic-intoxicated rats (100 ppm in drinking water) for 30 days affords protection against the oxidative stress caused by the metalloid. The arsenic-treated rats showed elevated levels of lipid peroxide, decreased levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants and activities of enzymatic antioxidants. Administration of alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid to arsenic-exposed rats showed a decrease in the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and enhanced levels of total sulfhydryls, reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol and so do the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase to near normal. These findings suggest that alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid prevent LPO and protect the antioxidant system in arsenic-intoxicated rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr. AL Mudaliar Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ramanathan
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Balakumar
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Panneerselvam
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018053:Arsenites / Q000633:toxicity*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017670:Sodium Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014881:Water Supply; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D018053:Arsenites; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D017670:Sodium Compounds; C017947:sodium arsenite; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D001205:Ascorbic Acid