A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF NORMAL AND MEGADOSES OF ASCORBIC ACID ON BLOOD CHOLESTEROL LEVEL OF GUINEA PIGS

ABSTRACT: An extensive literature has accumulated concerning the effect of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on practically every function of the body. Its present popularity lies on its wide availability at a low cost. From this arise the concern about its controversial effect on cholesterol, rendering it a possible preventive measure in the development of cardiovascular disease. However, questions also arise from its probable side effects. To compare the effects of normal and megadoses of ascorbic acid on plasma cholesterol levels, 10 healthy guinea pigs underwent controlled and regulated diet, receiving 10ml water and 6g darak pellets/100g body weight. They were orally administered with 35, 1000, and 2000 mg Ascorbic acid. Each diet was used up for 5 days with a wash-out period in between. Plasma cholesterol was analyzed using fasting and 2-hour postprandial sample. It was found that 5-day administration of Ascorbic acid resulted in a significant decrease fasting and postprandial levels of cholesterol in normal (35 mg) dosage (by 1 and 0.23 mmol/L, respectively). Insignificant increase was, however, noted in fasting levels using 1000 and 2000 mg megadoses (by 0.07 and 0.03 mmol/L, respectively) and 1000mg postprandial dosage ( by 0.03 mmol/L). 2000 mg postprandial dosage showed no significant decrease (by 0.12 mmol/L).

Department of Pharmacology