Effect of vitamin C in modulating the hypothermic influence on nerve conduction

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different degrees of hypothermia on nerve conduction and the possible beneficial effect of vitamin C in the amelioration of the impairment in nerve conduction due to hypothermia. Sixty male Wistar rats, 225-250 g, were randomly divided into two equal groups of untreated controls and vitamin C treated experimental groups. Sciatic nerve conduction and nerve temperature (T(n)) were recorded at different degrees of hypothermia by step-wise lowering of rectal temperature (T(r)) from 38 to 20°C. A regression analysis showed a positive linear relationship of T(r) with nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and with T(n) in both groups (p < 0.001). There was also a positive linear relationship between T(n) and NCV in both groups: control, p < 0.001; experimental, p < 0.05. Comparisons between the regression equations of T(r) with NCV, T(r) with T(n), and T(n) with NCV showed significant differences between the two groups (p < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between T(r) and the amplitude of the action potential. Vitamin C may have a protective effect against the impairment of NCV due to hypothermia.