Vitamin C with N-acetylcysteine ameliorates the antioxidant defenses in erythrocytes during storage

Abstract

Oxidative stress causes structural and biochemical alterations in stored erythrocytes. Antioxidants can be employed to prevent oxidative damage and enhance antioxidant defenses, thereby improving the efficacy of stored erythrocytes. N-acetylcysteine (a glutathione precursor), and Vitamin C (a free radical scavenger) can be potential candidates as additives. Hence, this study investigates the interactions of Vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine during erythrocyte storage. Blood was sampled from Wistar rats, and erythrocytes were grouped into (i) Controls and (ii) Experimentals [vitamin C-10 mM & N-acetylcysteine-0.5 mM]. The erythrocytes were stored in additive solution-7 (AS-7) at 4˚C for a duration of 35 days. Antioxidant and oxidative stress markers were analyzed at weekly intervals. Hemoglobin levels increased on day 14 in Experimentals compared to Controls and normalized on day 35. Catalase activity was maintained in Experimentals, whereas it decreased in Controls. Glutathione peroxidase activity decreased on day 14, whereas it increased on day 35 in Experimentals. Although thiobarbituric acid reactive substances decreased on days 14, 28 & 35 in both groups, there was a steep decline towards the end of storage in Experimentals. Endogenous antioxidant levels were higher throughout storage in Experimentals. Vitamin C with N-acetylcysteine reduced oxidative stress and enhanced antioxidant capacity during storage. This is the first report to elucidate the interactions of vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine in erythrocytes stored in AS-7.

Keywords

• Erythrocytes
• Oxidative Stress
• Storage
• Vitamin C

Ethical Statement

Animal care and maintenance were according to ethical committee regulations (841/b/04/ CPCSEA). Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) at the Nargund College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru (IAEC/NCP/117/2022).

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