Protective effects of Vitamin C against spinal cord injury-induced renal damage through suppression of NF-κB and proinflammatory cytokines

Neurol Sci. 2015 Apr;36(4):521-6. doi: 10.1007/s10072-014-1965-4. Epub 2014 Nov 18.

Abstract

Spinal cord injury [SCI] leads to complex cellular and molecular interactions which affects various organ systems. The present study focused on determining the protection offered by Vitamin C against spinal injury-induced kidney damage in wistar rats. The experimental protocol was performed with three groups; Sham, SCI and Vitamin C [20 mg/kg/bw] followed by SCI. The kidney tissue was investigated for oxidative stress parameters [reactive oxygen species, protein carbonyl, sulphydryl content, thiobarbituric acid reactive species [TBARS], and myeloperoxidase activity] and antioxidant status [glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase activity]. Further, inflammation studies were performed by analyzing expression of NF-κB, cycloxygenase-2, iNOS through western blot analysis and inflammatory cytokines by TNF-α and IL-1β levels. The present study shows clear evidence that Vitamin C treatment abrogated spinal injury-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses and enhanced the antioxidant status. Thus, the protection offered by Vitamin C against spinal cord injury-induced kidney damage is attributed to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Ascorbic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Laminectomy / adverse effects
  • Male
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Protein Carbonylation / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Retinal Diseases / etiology*
  • Retinal Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / complications*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / diet therapy
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / etiology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Cytokines
  • NF-kappa B
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Peroxidase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Glutathione
  • Ascorbic Acid