EFFECT OF ASCORBIC ACID AND ALPHA TOCOPHEROL ON IMMUNE STATUS OF MALE SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS EXPOSED TO CHRONIC RESTRAINT STRESS

Authors

  • Sadia Moazzam
  • M. Mazhar Hussain
  • Shemaila Saleem

Abstract

Background: The immune system provides protection against infectious diseases or other insults.
Psychological stress may alter antibody production through neurobiological pathways. Antioxidant
supplementation is thought to improve immune status and thereby reduce infectious morbidity. The aim
of this study was to determine the preventive effect of ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol on immune
status of rats exposed to chronic restraint stress. Methods: A total of 150 healthy male Sprague Dawley
rats were included in the study. They were divided into 5 groups, each comprised of 30 rats. Group I
was the control group on normal diet. Group II rats were exposed to chronic restraint stress for 6 hours
daily for 15 days, without antioxidant supplementation, whereas rats of groups III, IV and V were
given supplementation of ascorbic acid or alpha tocopherol or both respectively, for one month prior to
exposure of rats to chronic restraint stress. Total leukocyte count (TLC) and lymphocyte counts was
done, and serum immuno-globulins (IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE) levels were estimated using ELISA.
Results: Total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts and serum IgA, IgE, IgG, and IgM levels were found
significantly (p˂0.001) decreased in rats exposed to chronic restraint stress compared to the rats not
exposed to the restraint stress. The combined supplementation of ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol
significantly (p˂0.001) prevented the decline in total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts and serum
immuno-globulins compared to the administration of either of the two antioxidants. Conclusion:
Antioxidants (ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol) given in combination produce greater beneficial
effect in improving the immune status of rats exposed to chronic stress than individual supplementation
of either ascorbic acid or alpha tocopherol.
Keywords: Stress, immune status, immuno-globulins, antioxidants, ascorbic acid, alpha tocopherol

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Published

2012-12-01

How to Cite

Moazzam, S., Hussain, M. M., & Saleem, S. (2012). EFFECT OF ASCORBIC ACID AND ALPHA TOCOPHEROL ON IMMUNE STATUS OF MALE SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS EXPOSED TO CHRONIC RESTRAINT STRESS. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, 24(3-4), 31–35. Retrieved from https://demo.ayubmed.edu.pk/jamc/index.php/jamc/article/view/1921

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Vol. 24 No. 3-4 (2012): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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