Vitamin C supplementation on hepatic oxidative stress induced by cigarette smoke.

A study has been conducted to investigate whether the oxidative damage produced in the liver of rats exposed to cigarette smoke can be effectively combatted with vitamin C, one of the antioxidant vitamins. We assessed the liver antioxidants (vitamins E, C and A), scavenging enzymes and lipid peroxide products of rats exposed to cigarette smoke and simultaneously given vitamin C (200 mg 100 g[-1] body wt.) for 90 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes, hydroperoxides and free fatty acids (FFA) were significantly increased in liver of smoke-exposed groups. The activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase and vitamin E and C contents were significantly lower than controls. But vitamin A, glutathione (GSH) content and glutathione peroxidase (GSH Pxase) activity were enhanced. Vitamin C supplementation to smoke-exposed rats showed increased resistance to lipid peroxidation and increased activity of scavenging enzymes. The GSH content, vitamin C and FFA were brought to normal levels. Thus, this study seems to suggest that an intake of a mega dose of vitamin C can protect the liver from oxidant damage caused by cigarette smoke.