Neurochemical Effects of Vitamins C, E and DMSO Combinations on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Severity of Ischemic Stroke in Wistar rats

Objective: The objective of this research is to reports the effect of DMSO, Vitamins C and combinations on the oxidative stress biomarkers severity of induced ischemic stroke (IS) in Wistar rats.

Materials and methods: Twenty-five apparently healthy rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. Ischemic stroke was induced using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method, 45mg/kg body weight of the combinations (Vitamin C, Vitamin E and DMSO) were orally administered to the rats for two weeks, antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxide (GPX) activities and oxidative stress biomarkers (thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) concentration, were assessed.

Results: Ischemic stroke caused significantly (p< 0.05) decrease in the activities of the enzymes and significant increase (P>0.05) in the concentration of TBARS. Treatment with 45mg/kg of the antioxidant combinations resulted in the significantM increase (P< 0.05) of the activities of CAT, SOD and GPX. Also, there was significant (p< 0.05) decrease in the concentration of TBARS. Conclusion: The combinations of DMSO, Vitamins C and E reduced oxidative stress and its biomarkers in induced ischemic stroke in rats and underscores the relevance of antioxidants in the treatment of IS.

Keywords: Ischemic stroke; Antioxidants; Oxidative stress

Abbreviation: DMSO: Dimethyl Sulfoxide; IS: Ischemic Stroke; MCAO: Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion; SOD: Superoxide Dismutase; CAT: Catalase; GPX: Glutathione Peroxidase; TBARS: Thiobarbiturate acid Reactive Species; ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species; OS: Oxidative Stress; CT: Computed Tomography; MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging