Antioxidant effects of vitamins C and E, multivitamin-mineral complex and flavonoids in a model of retinal oxidative stress: the ApoE-deficient mouse

Exp Eye Res. 2008 Mar;86(3):470-9. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2007.11.020. Epub 2007 Dec 15.

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to investigate the biochemical changes in the plasma and retina of apolipoprotein E deficient (apoE-/-) mice supplemented with various antioxidants. Ten wild type (WT-Con, C57BL/6) and 10 apoE-/- (AE-Con) mice received drinking water. Another 40 apoE-/- animals were divided into four groups of 10 mice each and received either chromocarbe diethylamine (AE-CD, 50mg/kg), cyaninosides chloride (AE-CC, 50mg/kg), multivitamin complex (AE-MC, 50mg/kg), or vitamins C and E (AE-CE, 100mg/kg and 200IU/kg). Cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]) were measured in plasma, and TBARS and nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) concentration were determined in retinal homogenates. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to examine the retinal ultrastructure. AE-Con mice had significantly (P<0.05) increased oxidative stress in the plasma and retina with augmented production of retinal NOx compared with WT-Con mice. Retinal TBARS decreased in the AE-MC and AE-CE animals compared with the AE-Con group (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Only AE-CE treatment significantly (P<0.01) lowered retinal NOx. Morphologic retinal changes in the AE-Con group decreased in the AE-CE and AE-MC groups. There were no significant changes in the biochemical and structural parameters in the AE-CD and AE-CC groups. AE-Con mice had increased systemic and retinal oxidative stress compared with WT-Con animals. Vitamins C and E and the multivitamin-mineral complex reduced oxidative stress and ultrastructural retinal changes in this murine model of hypercholesterolemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Apolipoproteins E / deficiency*
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia Type III / metabolism
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia Type III / pathology
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Lipids / blood
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Pigment Epithelium of Eye / drug effects
  • Pigment Epithelium of Eye / ultrastructure
  • Retina / drug effects*
  • Retina / metabolism
  • Retina / ultrastructure
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology
  • Vitamins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Flavonoids
  • Lipids
  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin E
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Ascorbic Acid