Antioxidant Effect of Ascorbic Acid (Vit.C) in Different Concentration against Harmful Effect of Toxic Heavy Metal (Lead Acetate) in Rats

Abstract

Ascorbic acid (Vit.C) is one of the most potent antioxidants that interacts directly with the oxidizing radicals and protects the cells from reactive oxygen species. There is a need to increase the daily intake of Vit.C. The present study was aimed to evaluate the potential protective effects of different concentration of Vit.C against oxidative stress of lead acetate toxicity (Pb) in rats. Fifty albino male rats with average body weight 180 gm were classified into five equal groups (10 each); control group received tap water only, Pb group received 0.2% lead acetate /kg,b.w and the other three groups received 500, 1000 and 1500 mg Vit. C, along with 0.2%lead acetate /kg.bw, respectively. Doses were orally administered daily for two months.The results showed that Pb affected significantly on the hematological parameters, which decreased red blood cell count (RBC) by 28.9%, hemoglobin(HB) by 28.2%, hematocrit (Htc) by 26.4%and platelets(Plt) by 25,1% than control group ;while white blood cell count (WBC) increased significantly by 35.9% than control group. But Vit.C enhanced hematological parameters in the present of lead acetate at all concentrations than lead group, and the best effect was found with high concentration (1500mg),where it increased RBC count by 27.5%,Hb by 44.7%,Htc by 30.2%and Plt by 45%,while WBC count was decreased by 29%.Pb caused significant increase in total lipid by 53.7%, triglyceride (TG) by 43.6%, cholesterol (CHO) by 50%, low density lipoprotein (LDL)by 76% and very low density lipoprotein(VLDL) by 43.8% than control group, while Vit.C significantly decrease the total lipid by 26.1%, TG by 20.5%,CHO by 21.3%.LDL by 50%, and VLDL by 2o.5% at high concentration of Vit C(1500mg),it also increased HDL significantly by 57.5% than lead group. Pb administration increased nitric oxide (NO) by 53.9% and thiobarbaturic acid reactive substances(TBARS) by 53.3% in plasma compared to the control group, while it significantly decreased glutathione (GSH) by 50% and total antioxidants capacity (TAC) by 57.9%.Pb also increased NO and TBARS and decreased GSH and TAC in liver, kidneys and brain. Vit.C had benefits effect as antioxidant activity, the best effect noticed in the highest concentration of Vit.C (1500 mg).It caused significant decrease in NO by 23.4% and TBARS by 25.5%.But also caused significant increase in GSH by 60% and TAC by 100% in plasma than lead group. Vit C also decreased NO and TBARS and increased GSH and TAC in organs than lead groupIt can be concluded that Vit.C is capable of alleviating the harmful effects of Pb and highly recommended increasing the daily intake of Vit. C either from food rich in ascorbic acid or from supplementation.