Effectiveness of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol in functional recovery of spinal cord injured rats: an experimental study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of the ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol on rats with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). A total of 80 male Sprague-Dawley rats (180–200 g) were used in this study. Of these 70 were subjected to SCI and received various doses of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol treatment for 84 days (12 weeks), 10 rats were used as a control (without SCI, untreated). Spontaneous coordinate activity (vertical and horizontal movements) was used to assess functional recovery. Compared to baseline value, all of the test groups (i.e 3,4,5,6,7 and 8) showed a gradual improvements in vertical and horizontal movements at week 1, and such improvements were maintained at all-time points until the end of the trial period (week 12). In addition, when compared to disease control, positive improvement were observed in all test groups in vertical and horizontal movements throughout the trial period. Compared to low dose ascorbic acid and alpha-tocophoral groups, positive differences in vertical and horizontal activity were observed in high dose ascorbic acid and alpha-tocophoral groups. When compared with ascorbic acid treatment a notable added improvements were observed in alpha-tocopherol groups, especially in high dose alpha-tocopherol group. In conclusion, the administration of high dose alpha-tocopherol enhances the functional activity against SCI and it is more effective than ascorbic acid.