ADMINISTRATION OF LARGE DOSES OF VITAMIN-C DOES NOT DECREASE OXIDANT-INDUCED LUNG LIPID-PEROXIDATION CAUSED BY BACTERIAL-INDEPENDENT ACUTE PERITONITIS

Acute zymosan-induced peritonitis in rats produces lung inflammation a nd lipid peroxidation. The effect of this process on plasma and lung t issue ascorbic acid was determined, as was the effect of infusing 150 mg/kg of ascorbic acid immediately after zymosan on the degree of lung insult. Ascorbic acid levels were significantly decreased in plasma a nd lung tissue at 24 h after zymosan, and lung tissue conjugated diene and neutrophil content was also significantly increased. Vitamin C in fusion increased postzymosan plasma levels by 50% over normal control levels. However, lung tissue ascorbic acid was still decreased, and no decrease in the lung injury process was noted. Added ascorbic acid al so did not prevent a decrease in plasma vitamin E with the peritonitis . We conclude that the amount of ascorbic acid given in this study did not diminish the lung oxidant inflammatory changes. An insufficient d ose or inadequate time for plasma ascorbic acid to equilibrate with th e lung cytosol are possible explanations for the lack of attenuation o f lung oxidant stress.