Dual role of vitamin C utilization in NO2-induced oxidative stress in lung tissues of mice

Earlier studies with in vitro models have revealed that application of vitamin C can act as a primary NO(2) absorption substrate to contribute to NO(2)-induced cellular injury. In the present study, we showed that the pharmacological application of vitamin C had dual role in lungs of mice exposed to NO(2), with an exacerbated oxidative stress occurring at low concentrations, as indicated by excessive reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation. However, at high concentrations, vitamin C functioned as an antioxidant removing reactive oxygen species and maintaining a reducing status in cells, alleviating NO(2)-induced oxidative toxicity.