Antioxidant effect of ascorbic acid on PCB (Aroclor 1254) induced oxidative stress in hypothalamus of albino rats.
BACKGROUND
PCBs are one of the environmental toxicants and neurotoxic compounds which induce the production of free radicals leading to oxidative stress. Vitamin C is well known as an outstanding antioxidant. We determined the protective role of ascorbate on hypothalamic antioxidant system of Aroclor 1254 exposed rats.


METHODS
The rats were injected Aroclor 1254 at a dose of 2 mg/kg bw/day intraperitoneally for 30 days. One group of rats received vitamin C (100 mg/kg bw/day) orally simultaneously with Aroclor 1254 for 30 days. Twenty-four hours after last treatment, the animals were killed and hypothalamic region was separated from brain tissue. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and vitamin C were estimated. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and acetylcholine esterase (AchE) activity were determined. Serum gonadotropins such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were also assayed.


RESULTS
Activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, AchE and the concentration of vitamin C were decreased while an increase in H(2)O(2) and LPO were observed in hypothalamus of PCB treated animals. LH and FSH concentrations were also decreased in serum of PCB exposed animals. Vitamin C administration retrieved all the parameters significantly except serum hormonal profiles.


CONCLUSIONS
PCB induces oxidative stress in hypothalamus by decreasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes, which can be protected by vitamin C treatment.
Muthuvel
R
R
Department of Endocrinology, University of Madras, Taramani campus, Chennai 600113, India.
Venkataraman
P
P
Krishnamoorthy
G
G
Gunadharini
D N
DN
Kanagaraj
P
P
Jone Stanley
A
A
Srinivasan
N
N
Balasubramanian
K
K
Aruldhas
M M
MM
Arunakaran
J
J
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D020111:Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine) / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000975:Antioxidants; D020111:Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine); D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C121849:superoxide reductase; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid