Oral Vitamin C Intake Ameliorates Crude Oil-Polluted Water-Induced Jejunal Contractile Dysfunctions in Wistar rats

Inhabitants of rural Niger-Delta oil communities in Nigeria often, unintentionally, consume crude oil polluted water (COCW) due to crude oil spills in the region. The impact of vitamin C supplementation during COCW ingestion on the contractile mechanism of the jejunum is not fully known. Hence, this study investigates the outcomes of COCW water and vitamin C intake on the smooth muscle activity of the jejunum in Wistar rats using standard techniques. Data obtained showed that jejunal tissue SOD concentration was significantly reduced, while jejunal tissue MDA concentration was significantly increased in the COCW-only treated group. Contraction mediated by acetylcholine was significantly increased in the COCW-only treated rats. Calcium and potassium ion influx significantly increased jejunal contraction in the COCW-only rats. Incubation of the jejunal tissue in nifedipine, indomethacin, and L-NAME significantly increased acetylcholine-mediated contractions in the jejunal tissue of the COCW-only treated rats when compared to other groups. COCW causes free radical-induced jejunal damage that results in impaired jejunal contractile activity mediated by the M2 muscarinic receptor, nitric oxide synthase activity, voltage-gated large-conductance calcium channels, potassium channels, and prostaglandins. However, the oral intake of Vitamin C supplementation significantly ameliorated impairments by enhancing jejunal antioxidant activity.