Alterations in Lipid Profile and Oxidative Stress Markers Following Heat Stress on Wistar Rats: Ameliorating Role of Vitamin C

Abstract

Global warming and the increased frequency of heat waves have generated more interest in the effect of heat stress on human physiology. The present study evaluated the effect of 30 days of controlled heat exposure (38.1±1°C) on the lipid profile and oxidative stress markers of male Wistar rats. Twenty-five (25) male Wistar rats (3 - 4 months old, 200-250g) were used for the study and grouped into five (5) groups of five (5) rats per group. Group 1 served as the control, while groups 2 – 4 were allowed exposed to controlled heat for two (2), four (4) and eight (8) hours respectively while group 5 were allowed an 8-hour heat exposure plus oral administration of vitamin C. The result of the study indicates that heat stress caused a significant increase in serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) among the heat-exposed group compared to the control (p<0.05) while the serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GPH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) significantly reduced compared to the non-exposed control (P<0.05). The result also indicates that supplementation with vitamin C positively modulated the effects of heat stress on lipid profile and oxidative stress markers. The current evidence suggests that heat stress can cause an increase in oxidative stress leading to increased lipid peroxidation and cellular damage with a possible ameliorative role by vitamin C supplementation.