Protective Role of α-Tocopherol and Ascorbic Acid Against Cadmium Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats

Cadmium (Cd) is a neurotoxic heavy metal, which induces oxidative stress and membrane disturbances in the nervous system. Vitamin C and E is an effective antioxidants and free radical scavengers against oxidative stress. The present study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of vitamin C and E in protecting the cadmium induced changes in the activity of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE), membrane bound ATPases, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant status in rats. Oral treatment with cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg body wt/day) for 284 days resulted in a significant elevation in the levels of lipid peroxidation and lipid hydroperoxides along with a significant decrease in the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), total ATPases, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the brain tissue. Prior oral administration of vitamin C and E (50 mg/kg body wt./day) individually as well as in combination with cadmium significantly (p<0.05) diminished the level of LPO, lipid hydroperoxides and significantly (p<0.05) increased the activities of AChE, total ATPases, antioxidant enzymes and reduced glutathione in brain. These results suggested that vitamin C and E protects the brain tissue from the oxidative stress elicited by cadmium.