ASCORBIC-ACID COUNTERACTS THE PROOXIDANT EFFECT OF ALLOXAN IN ERYTHROCYTES IN-VITRO

Alloxan-induced experimental diabetes has been reported due to the pro duction of toxic O-2-radical anion and OH. radicals and H2O2. Alloxan induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) in rat erythrocytes in the absence of ascorbic acid (AA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decreased whi le catalase (CAT) activity increased in erythrocytes with alloxan trea tment without AA, Alloxan treatment in presence of AA showed no signif icant changes in LPO, SOD and CAT activities in erythrocytes, indicati ng neutralization of alloxan induced free radical production, Treatmen t with glucose in presence of AA showed no significant changes in LPO and in SOD and CAT activities in erythrocytes. Erythrocytes incubated with alloxan and glucose without AA showed increased LPO and decreased activity of SOD and CAT, However, LPO decreased and enzyme activities were comparable to control when treatment with alloxan and glucose wa s followed in presence of AA.