Protective Effects of Vitamin C Against Benzene-Induced Lung Injury in Rats
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- Category: Vol. 80, September 2012
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Protective Effects of Vitamin C Against Benzene-Induced Lung Injury in Rats,DOAA A. SOUROUR, NESRIENE M. EL MARGOUSHY and GAMAL M. EL NEMR
Abstract
Background: Exposures to car fuel vapor among workers result in functional alterations in the airways of exposed people and appearance of pulmonary diseases. Benzene, a well-known human carcinogen and a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, possesses a potential health threat to a broad spectrum of individuals. Benzene exerts multiple effects by generating one or more reactive oxygen species. Thus the use of natural antioxidants may be a protective strategy against benzene-induced toxicity.
Aim: The present study was designed to investigate the protective role of vitamin C, a strong antioxidant, in attenuating benzene-induced lung injury in rats.
Methods: Thirty male albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups as follows: Group I: Control group; group II: Rats exposed to benzene inhalation (6h/day, 5 days/week) for 4 weeks; group III: Rats exposed to benzene inhalation (6h/day, 5 days/week) and received vitamin C treatment concomitantly (200mg/kg/day given orally) for 4 weeks. Several biochemical parameters were estimated. Histological examinations of the lung and trachea were performed.
Results: The results of the present study showed that vitamin C treatment in benzene exposed rats resulted in significant decrease in apoptotic Bax gene expression in the lung with significant increase in lung antiapoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression compared to untreated benzene exposed group. Vitamin C treatment increased significantly lung matrix metalloproteinase-1 mRNA expression, decreased significantly lung tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-1 mRNA ex-pression together with significant decrease in lung hydrox-yproline content as well as significant increase in plasma paraoxonase-1 level in benzene treated rats compared to untreated benzene exposed group. Vitamin C also improves histological changes in the lung and trachea in benzene treated group.
Conclusion: From this study it can be concluded that co-administration of vitamin C during benzene inhalation in rats may significantly diminish the toxic effects of benzene on the lung. This beneficial effect of vitamin C may be mediated by its antioxidant effect and as a consequence results in antiapoptotic and antifibrotic effects.