Decrease in urinary excretion of ascorbic acid and histamine in rats after repeated immobilization stress

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Animal Physiology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is essential for many physiological processes.
• Stress significantly impacts metabolic pathways and nutrient requirements in animals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of ascorbic acid deficiency and immobilization stress on ascorbic acid and histamine excretion in rats.
• To explore the potential role of ascorbic acid in the physiological response to stress.

Main Methods:

• Rats were fed an ascorbic acid-free diet to induce deficiency.
• Daily immobilization stress was applied to assess its impact on ascorbic acid and histamine levels.
• Urinary, serum, liver, and adrenal gland levels of ascorbic acid and histamine were measured.

Main Results:

• Ascorbic acid-free diet led to equilibrium in urinary ascorbic acid excretion and decreased histamine levels.
• Immobilization stress significantly reduced urinary ascorbic acid and histamine output in deficient rats.
• Serum, liver, and adrenal ascorbic acid levels decreased significantly under stress.

Conclusions:

• Ascorbic acid deficiency exacerbates the impact of stress on ascorbic acid and histamine metabolism.
• These findings suggest ascorbic acid plays a role in the animal's defense mechanism against stressful stimuli.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms involved.