Effects of Vitamins C and E on Free Radical Processes in the Blood of Rats in Acute Moderate Hypothermia

Abstract

We assessed the effect of intraperitoneal administration of ascorbic acid (vitamin C, 100 mg/kg/day) and α-tocopherol (vitamin E–selenium, 40 mg/kg/day), given alone or in combination for seven days, on the intensity of free-radical processes in the blood of rats in acute short-term hypothermia of 30^○С. Hypothermia contributes to the development of oxidative stress in erythrocytes, stimulating the lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of proteins (OMP), decreasing the content of glutathione (GSH) and increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocytes. A separate administration of vitamins prevents a decrease in the level of GSH and an increase in the activity of SOD in erythrocytes in hypothermia, but vitamin C stimulates lipid peroxidation and OMP and vitamin E stimulates OMP of the erythrocyte membranes. Coadministration of vitamins C and E completely prevents the development of oxidative stress in erythrocytes during hypothermia.