L-Ascorbic Acid Protects the Antioxidant Defense System in Nickel- Exposed Albino Rat Lung Tissue

• Published in: Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology Vol. 17; no. 2; pp. 87 - 100
• Main Authors: Gupta, A.D., Patil, A.M., Ambekar, J.G., Das, S.N., Dhundasi, S.A., Das, K.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany De Gruyter 2006
• Subjects: Animals; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Ascorbic Acid - pharmacology; Catalase - metabolism; Glutathione Peroxidase - metabolism; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; Lung - drug effects; Lung - metabolism; Lung - pathology; Lung Diseases - chemically induced; Lung Diseases - metabolism; Lung Diseases - prevention & control; Male; Necrosis; Nickel - toxicity; Paraffin Embedding; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism
• ISSN: 0792-6855; 2191-0286
• DOI: 10.1515/JBCPP.2006.17.2.87

We studied the effect of oral supplementation with L-ascorbic acid (50 mg /100 g body weight (BW) on nickel sulfate (2.0 mg/ 100 g BW, i.p)-induced lipid peroxidation and histopathology in the lung of Wister strain male albino rats. Lipid peroxide and glutathione levels and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), were estimated. Nickel sulfate administration significantly increased the level of lipid peroxides and decreased all antioxidant enzyme activities. Nickel sulfate treatment also induced (a) loss of normal characteristics and architectural organization, (b) inflammation in bronchioles, (c) alveolar congestion, (d) alveolar cell hyperplasia, and (e) congestion in the lumen. The simultaneous administration of L-ascorbic acid and nickel sulfate improved both lipid peroxidation and the histopathology of lung when compared with rats receiving nickel sulfate alone. The results indicate that L-ascorbic acid prevents nickel-induced alteration of antioxidant defense mechanisms and histopathology of lung tissue.