engleski

Effect of Vitamin C on the level of free fatty acids : an experimental model of injury in rabbits

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring free radical scavenger, as such its presence assists various other mechanisms in decreasing the numerous disruptive free radical processes from taking place, including lipid peroxidation. Traumatic injury of the spinal cord leads to a series of pathological events that result in tissue necrosis and paralysis. Among the earliest biochemical reactions are hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids, release of fatty acids, production of biologically active eicosanoids, and peroxidation of lipids. In this study we have examined the effect of vitamin C, an efficient antioxidant, on the level of palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1), arachidonic (C20:4), and docosahexaenoic (C22:6) acids using an experimental model of spinal cord injury in rabbits. Spinal cord samples were taken from the impact injury site. For the isolation and purification of total lipids modified method by Folch was used. Free fatty acids (FFAs), in the form of the corresponding methyl esters, were identified using gas chromatography. The level of all analysed free fatty acids was increased in the spinal cord tissue after neurotrauma. Subsequent treatment with vitamin C in three different doses (0.3 mg/kg ; 1.0 mg/kg ; 3.0 mg/kg) resulted in a significant decrease of their levels. Our results suggest following conclusions: the accumulation of FFAs is a possible indicator of nervous cell damage ; ascorbic acid helps in the trauma-induced oxidative stress by enhancing the antioxidant capacity and also by reducing the lipid peroxidation products.

free fatty acid; rabbit; spinal cord injury; vitamin C

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