Effect of L-ascorbic acid on nickel-induced alterations in serum lipid profiles and liver histopathology in rats

J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2006;17(1):29-44. doi: 10.1515/jbcpp.2006.17.1.29.

Abstract

Nickel exposure greatly depletes intracellular ascorbate and alters ascorbate-cholesterol metabolism. We studied the effect of the simultaneous oral treatment with L-ascorbic acid (50 mg/100 g body weight (BW) and nickel sulfate (2.0 mg/100 g BW, i.p) on nickelinduced changes in serum lipid profiles and liver histopathology. Nickel-treated rats showed a significant increase in serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and a significant decrease in serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In the liver, nickel sulfate caused a loss of normal architecture, fatty changes, extensive vacuolization in hepatocytes, eccentric nuclei, and Kupffer cell hypertrophy. Simultaneous administration of L-ascorbic acid with nickel sulfate improved both the lipid profile and liver impairments when compared with rats receiving nickel sulfate only. The results indicate that L-ascorbic acid is beneficial in preventing nickel-induced lipid alterations and hepatocellular damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects*
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Nickel / toxicity*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Vitamins / pharmacology

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Lipids
  • Triglycerides
  • Vitamins
  • Nickel
  • Cholesterol
  • Ascorbic Acid