Vitamin C as an antioxidant: evaluation of its role on pulmonary contusion experimental model.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIM: To analyze the protective activity of vitamin C on the lungs by assessing biochemical and histopathological analysi after performing an experimental isolated lung contusion model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley male rats were used. The rats were randomly separated into 4 groups Vitamin C (200 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30 min after trauma. Blood samples were obtained for myeloperoxidase (MPO) glutirthione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels Blood gas analysis and bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. The lung tissue was also extracted for histopathological examination. RESULTS: The lung contusion enhanced MDA, SOD, CAT, and MPO and diminished GSH-Px. Vitamin C administration after th pulmonary contusion was found to diminish the level of MDA and the activities of SOD, CAT, and MPO and to enhance the level of GSH-Px (P < 0.05). Contusion-induced disrupted gas analysis and leukocyte infiltration were both resolved by the vitamin C. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that vitamin C administration attenuated the oxidative damage and morphological change induced by pulmonary contusion in an experimental rat study.