ascorbic-acid and Encephalomyelitis

Antioxidants (ascorbic acid, glutathione, cysteine, alpha-tocopherol) and uric acid were measured using two high-pressure liquid chromatographic methods in 3 regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) of the spinal cord and in blood of Lewis rats during the attack and recovery of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Uric acid, which is thought to be a marker of free radical release, was greatly increased and glutathione correspondingly decreased in lumbar and thoracic regions. Cysteine and ascorbic acid were practically unchanged, whereas alpha-tocopherol was significantly increased during attack and recovery. Results, which could have therapeutic implications, generally support the hypothesis that free radicals are released during EAE.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Autoimmune Diseases; Cysteine; Encephalomyelitis; Free Radicals; Glutathione; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Spinal Cord; Uric Acid; Vitamin E

Scorbutic guinea pigs injected with CNS and mycobacterium to induce experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) showed no clear-cut neurological signs and failed to show histological evidence of central nervous system damage. The degree of protection afforded by vitamin C deprivation was related directly to the duration of the scorbutogenic diet and inversely to the strength of the CNS challenge. Vitamin C deprivation also abolished tuberculin sensitivity as measured by the PPD skin reaction. Upon restoration of vitamin C, the animals recovered their sensitivity to PPD but did not develop EAE. It was further demonstrated that these effects of vitamin C deprivation were not related to inanition or to the endogenous levels of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Central Nervous System; Encephalomyelitis; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Guinea Pigs; Hypersensitivity; Vitamin D Deficiency

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Carrageenan; Collagen; Encephalomyelitis; Granuloma; Hydroxyproline; Neoplasms; Proline; Vitamins