Vitamin C Protects from Impairment of Memory Induced by E-Cigarette Aerosol Exposure

E-cigarettes (EC) have been shown to impair memory by disrupting the balance involving ROS and antioxidant enzymes, leading to oxidative stress. Vitamin C (VitC) is a strong antioxidant with cell protective efficacy and scavenges free radicals. The present study evaluated VitC for potential protective effects against EC-induced memory impairment in rat models.

The animals were exposed to EC for 2 hr/day, with a one-hour break in between, for five days per week over four weeks. Simultaneously, animals were administered Vitamin C at 100 mg/ kilogram/bw/day via oral gavage five days/week/for four weeks. After the treatment and exposure period concluded, spatial learning and memory were evaluated using the Radial Arms Water Maze. Furthermore, the oxidative stress biomarkers levels (GSSG, GSH, GSH/GSSG, TBARS, Catalase, and GPx) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured in the hippocampus tissues.

The findings indicated that EC had a detrimental effect on the short-term and long-term memory of the animals (p < 0.05). Additionally, EC decreased the levels of GPx, SOD, GSH, the GSH/GSSG ratio, and BDNF (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the GSSG level was significantly elevated (p < 0.05) by EC. However, Vitamin C prevented impairment of memory and restored levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress and BDNF.

To summarize, exposure to EC resulted in impairments of memory, both short-term and long-term. However, the administration of Vitamin C prevented these negative effects by its antioxidant properties.