Antioxidant Effects of Vitamins C and E on Phenylhydrazine-Induced Haemolysis in Sprague Dawley Rats: Evidence for A better Protection by Vitamin E.
BACKGROUND
Phenyldrazine (PHDZ) provokes acute haemolysis and generates free radicals that are known to be involved in the toxicity of the drug. Vitamin C and E have been ascribed beneficial roles in many acute haemolytic states and oxidative stress.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to assess the antioxidant effect of vitamin C and E on PHDZ- induced haemolysis in SD rat in-vivo and ex-vivo.


METHODS
Rats treated for weeks with oral vitamin E (500mg/kg/day, n=6), oral vitamin C (100mg/kg/day, n=6) and control rats, which received tap water; were monitored for peripheral blood parameters and haemolytic activity of erythrocytes at Baseline, 48 hours and 1 week respectively after intraperitonial administration of PHDZ (15mg/kg/day for 7 days). Osmotic fragility as well as organ weights were determined 1 week after PHDZ. Dose-dependent effects of vitamins C and E on haemolysis were determined at the end of 120 min incubation of rat RBC with the vitamins in phosphate-buffered-saline.


RESULTS
Hb and PCV were better preserved in rats pre-treated with the antioxidants. The spleenomegaly, cardiomegaly and hepatomegaly associated with PHDZ treatment were significantly reduced in antioxidant pre-treated rats (P<0.001). reduction in cardiac weight was more marked in vitamin E group (0.56+/- 0.02g vs. 0.72+/-0.03g; n=6; P<0.01; vitamin E vs. PHDZ) compared to vitamin C (0.69+/-0.02g vs. 0.72+/-0.03g; n=6; P>0.05; vitamin C compared to PHDZ). RBC of vitamin E group exhibited better resistance to osmoticlysis (P<0.001). at higher doses (400-500mg/L), vitamin C caused significant haemolysis both in the absence (P<0.001) and presence of PHDZ (P<0.001). Vitamin E abolished the long tail of the osmotic fragiligram.


CONCLUSIONS
The result of this study suggests that compared to vitamin C, vitamin E may better protect RBC against haemolysis induced by oxidative stress.
Odigie
I P
IP
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos PMB 12003 Lagos Nigeria.
Okpoko
F B
FB
Ojobo
P D
PD
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D004912:Erythrocytes; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010659:Phenylhydrazines; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014810:Vitamin E; D014815:Vitamins
D000975:Antioxidants; D010659:Phenylhydrazines; D014815:Vitamins; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid