Study of the protective effect of ascorbic acid against the toxicity of stannous chloride on oxidative damage, antioxidant enzymes and biochemical parameters in rabbits

Stannous chloride (SnCl2) is a reducing chemical agent used in several man-made products. SnCl2 can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, the present study has been carried out to investigate the antioxidant action of l-ascorbic acid (AA) in minimizing SnCl2 toxicity on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme, and biochemical parameters in male New Zealand white rabbits. Animals were assigned to one of four treatment groups: 0 mg AA and 0 mg SnCl2/kg BW (control); 40 mg AA/kg BW; 20 mg SnCl2/kg BW; 20 mg SnCl2 plus 40 mg AA/kg BW. Rabbits were orally administered the respective doses every other day for 12 weeks. Results obtained showed that SnCl2 significantly (P < 0.05) induced thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS; the marker of lipid peroxidation) in plasma, while the activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the level of sulfhydryl groups (SH-group) were decreased (P < 0.05) in blood plasma. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AlP), acid phosphatase (AcP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were decreased (P < 0.05). Stannous chloride significantly (P < 0.05) increased the levels of plasma total lipid (TL), cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), glucose, urea and total bilirubin. On the other hand, the level of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total protein (TP), albumin (A) and globulin (G) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. Ascorbic acid alone significantly decreased the levels of TBARS, lipids and urea, and increased the activities of GST, SOD and CAT, and the levels of SH-group and proteins. While the rest of the tested parameters were not affected. Also, the presence of AA with SnCl2 alleviated its harmful effects on most of the tested parameters. Therefore, the present results revealed that treatment with AA could minimize the toxic effects of stannous chloride.