Effects of Vitamin C and Dimethylsulfoxide (Dmso) on Neuro-Behaviour, Apoptosis and oxidative stress in ischaemic stroke induced rats

Background: Researches over the years have identified excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death as key contributors underlying progression of lesion in ischaemic stroke (IS). This study reports the effect of vitamin C and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in the management of ischaemic stroke (IS) in Wistar rats. Method: Forty rats were divided into four groups of ten rats each. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were induced with IS by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Anxiety like behavior and locomotor activity assessments were carried out. Group 1was treated with vitamin C (67.5mg/kg) and group 2 with DMSO (67.5mg/kg) orally for two weeks. Group 4 was neither induced nor treated. Brain tissue homogenates (cerebral cortex) were assessed for the level of calcium binding protein (S100B), antioxidant enzymes [Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalae (CAT), Glutathion peroxidase (GPx)] gene expressions, BCL2, Bax and Caspase3. Result: The results of this study showed that in the IS rats, there was significant (P<0.05) increase in anxiety and a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the locomotor activity. There was also significant (P<0.05) increase in S100B, caspase 3 and Bax expressions, while there was significant (P<0.05) decrease in BCL2. Treatment with vitamin C and DMSO resulted in significant (P<0.05) increase in the locomotor activity and significant (P<0.05) decrease in anxiety. There was significant (P<0.05) increase in the expression of SOD, CAT and GPx genes. Also, there was significant (P<0.05) decrease in S100B level, caspase-3 and Bax expressions, while there was significant (P<0.05) increase in BCL2. Conclusion: Conclusively, the results of this research highlighted the potentials for the use of vitamin C and DMSO in the management of IS. Keywords: Stroke; Antioxidant; Locomotor; Neuro-Behavioural; Dimethylsulfoxide Apoptosis; Oxidative Stress