Vitamins C and E (ascorbate/α-tocopherol) provide synergistic neuroprotection in the jejunum in experimental diabetes

• Published in: Pathophysiology (Amsterdam) Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 241 - 248
• Main Authors: Tashima, Cristiano Massao, Hermes-Uliana, Catchia, Perles, Juliana Vanessa Colombo Martins, de Miranda Neto, Marcilio Hubner, Zanoni, Jacqueline Nelisis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.12.2015
• Subjects: Antioxidant; Diabetes mellitus; Enteric nervous system; Neuropathy; Oxidative stress; Supplementation; Oxidative stress; Enteric nervous system; Neuropathy; Supplementation; Antioxidant; Diabetes mellitus
• ISSN: 0928-4680; 1873-149X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pathophys.2015.09.003

The present study evaluated the synergistic effects of the association of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol on myenteric in the jejunum of diabetic rats. The rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: untreated normoglycemic (UC), untreated diabetic (UD), ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol-treated normoglycemic (CAE) and ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol-treated diabetic (DAE). The rats from the CAE and DAE group received supplementation with ascorbic acid (1g/L in water) and α-tocopherol (1% in chow). At 210-days-old, the animals were sacrified and their jejunum was collected and submitted to immunohistochemistry. Quantitative and/or morphometric analysis were performed. Supplementation with ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol prevented the cell loss of myenteric neurons expressing HuC/D and TrkA in an equivalent proportion. We also observed a reduction of the CGRP nerve fiber varicosities and the prevention of the increased cell body size of submucosal VIP neurons (p<0.05). The association of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol reduced the deleterious effects of diabetes promoting protection on the enteric neurons.