Effects of Acute Treatment of Vitamin C on Redox and Antioxidative Metabolism in Plasma and Red Blood Cells of Rats

Ascorbic acid (Vit C) is a reducing agent that efficiently quenches potentially damaging free radicals. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of high acute dose of Vit C on redox and antioxidative status in blood of rats. Our study included two groups of Wistar albino rats: I – untreated group (control); II – group treated with Vit C (500 mg/kg bw, i.p.). In all cases animals were sacrificed after three days of treatment and blood samples were taken at the day of sacrifice. Concentration of Heinz bodies (HB) was determined in whole blood, while the concentration of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS), as well as, parameters of antioxidative defense system were followed in plasma and red blood cells (RBC). Our results showed that Vit C treatment induced higher levels of peroxynitrites and lipid peroxidation in plasma. In RBC, Vit C induced higher level of HB, GSSG/2 GSH ratio and glutathione peroxidase activity, while decreased glutathione reductase activity. In conclusion, acute high doses of Vit C act as prooxidant and induced oxidative stress that resulted in lipid peroxidation in plasma and hemoglobin oxidation in RBC.