EFFECT OF VITAMIN C AND VITAMIN E ON SUCROSE INDUCED ENDOTHELIAL DAMAGE IN RATS

Endothelial damage may contribute to the atheriosclerosis development. Chronic sucrose intake could lead to the establishment of endothelial damage due to the increase of oxygen reactive species. Although antioxidants vitamins may be useful to improve the endothelium injury, more experimental designs are required. In the current study, Vitamin C and E were used with the purpose of evaluating the regression degree of the endothelial damage produced in an induced model by a sucrose-rich diet in Wistar rats. Four groups were formed (n=6). The endothelium damage was achieved by a 35% of sucrose intake during 18 weeks. Then, the vitamins were supplied for four weeks at 10 mg/kg. Endothelial dysfuntion were assessed by two indirect methods: Histopathological evaluation of abdominal aorta and the quantification of plasmatic endothelial cells. Some biochemical and biometric parameters were also determined. It was observed that both vitamins decreased the plasmatic endothelial cells, being Vitamin C the one with the highest reduction percentage (78.7 % vs 34.8 %). Both vitamin treatments decreased hyperlypemia and the gain of body weight. The histologic analysis of the abdominal aortic fragments showed a significant regression of the endothelium injury parameters; no-organization of elastic fibers and small clear vacuoles spread or fusioned in the cellular cytoplasm.The most improved morphometric parameter was wall thickness: 67.16 ±12.34 µm for vitamin C and 76.28 ± 18.0 µm for vitamin E vs 95.16 ± 42.09 µm for group without treatment (p<0.001). It is concluded that either Vitamin C or E may improve the endothelium injury provoked by the chronic supply of sucrose.