Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia‐induced oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes: protective effects of vitamin E, vitamin C, and carnitine

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the effect of vitamin E, vitamin C, and carnitine on intermittent hypobaric-hypoxia-induced oxidative stress (OS) in erythrocytes. For this purpose, male Wistar rats of 4 months of age were orally supplemented with one of the antioxidants prior to exposure to altitudes of 5700 m or 6300 m. Hemoglobin (Hb) and OS indices such as osmotic fragility and hemolysis were measured together with lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein oxidation. The increase in Hb was accompanied by increase in activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) during exposure to both the altitudes without any further elevation by supplements. The extent of reduction in osmotic fragility and hemolysis by vitamin E and carnitine was greater at 6300 m than at 5700 m. Increase in LPO products, for example, malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipofuscin-like autofluorescent substances (AFS) was noticeable at both the altitudes, and vitamin E and carnitine were effective in reducing LPO. While protein oxidation products such as carbonyl content (PrC) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) increased at 6300 m, protein sulphydryl (P-SH) content decreased. P-SH levels were restored on supplementation of antioxidants. Hence, our results indicate that vitamin E, vitamin C, and carnitine may be beneficial in overcoming OS and hemolysis under situations such as intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) and hypobarotherapy wherein hypoxia is used to correct many pathological situations in humans. Further, this study suggests that supplementation of vitamin E, vitamin C, and L-carnitine alone and not in combination can be beneficial in attenuating the OS associated with IHH compared to the unsupplemented rats exposed to two different altitudes.

Vitamin C in the Treatment and/or Prevention of Obesity

“…Indeed, VC reacts with oxygen free radicals and has the potential to protect both cytosolic and membrane components of cells from oxidative damage under hypobaric hypoxic stress (110). Moreover, Kim et al demonstrated that VC was able to reduce apoptosis in bovine ovarian cortex (111).…”

Vitamin C Supplementation Does not Improve Hypoxia-Induced Erythropoiesis

“…Hypoxia increases oxidative stress both in humans and in rodents (Radak et al, 1997;Asha Devi et al, 2005;Devi et al, 2007;Pialoux et al, 2009). It has been shown that supplements with antioxidant mixtures can compensate for the decline in membrane stability following intermittent hypobaric hypoxia as a consequence of decreased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein oxidation (Devi et al, 2007;Vani et al, 2010). The vast majority of endurance athletes, including elite athletes, take vitamin supplements such as vitamin C, often in large amounts (Sobal and Marquart, 1994), as an antioxidant and antianemic tool.…”

Rhodiola crenulata- and Cordyceps sinensis-Based Supplement Boosts Aerobic Exercise Performance after Short-Term High Altitude Training

“…The phenomenon of oxidative stress by hypoxic exposure in RBC has been described by Devi et al (2007) and Vani et al (2010). Devi et al (2007) exposed Wistar rats to the altitude of 5700-6300 m to examine the effects of hypoxia on oxidative stress in erythrocytes.…”

“…The phenomenon of oxidative stress by hypoxic exposure in RBC has been described by Devi et al (2007) and Vani et al (2010). Devi et al (2007) exposed Wistar rats to the altitude of 5700-6300 m to examine the effects of hypoxia on oxidative stress in erythrocytes. These investigators reported that osmotic fragility, hemolysis, and lipid peroxidation increased in erythrocytes following intermittent hypobaric-hypoxic exposure (Devi et al, 2007), suggesting that low ambient oxygen induces oxidative stress in erythrocytes and might subsequently impair hemoglobin oxygen-carrying capacity.…”