ABSTRACT Ascorbic acid is an exogenous antioxidant that can be able of alters the oxidative stress and damage neuronal induced by seizures. Its antioxidant properties can be proved in epilepsy models, including pilocarpine-induced seizures in adult rats. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of ascorbic acid (AA) in rats, against the observed oxidative stress during seizures induced by pilocarpine. Wistar rats were treated with 0.9 % saline (i.p., control group), ascorbic acid (500 mg/kg, i.p., AA group), pilocarpine (400 mg/kg, i.p., pilocarpine group), and the association of ascorbic acid (500 mg/kg, i.p.) plus pilocarpine (400 mg/kg, i.p.), 30 min before of administration of ascorbic acid (AA plus pilocarpine group). After the treatments all groups were observed for 24 h. The enzyme activity as well as the lipid peroxidation concentration was measured using spectrophotometric methods and the results compared to values obtained from saline and pilocarpine-treated animals. Protective effects of ascorbic acid were also evaluated on the same parameters. In pilocarpine group there was a significant increase in lipid peroxidation level and catalase activity. Antioxidant treatment significantly reduced the lipid peroxidation level as well as increased the catalase activity in striatum of adult rats after seizures induced by pilocarpine. Our findings strongly support the hypothesis that oxidative stress in striatum occurs during seizures induced by pilocarpine, proving that brain damage induced by the oxidative process plays a crucial role in seizures pathogenic consequences, and also imply that a strong protective effect could be achieved using ascorbic acid.
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