Evaluating the Effect of Vitamin C on Myocardial Angiogenesis Under Oxidative Stress Induced by Exhaustive Exercise in Rat

Background: The main purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of exhaustive swimming with the consumption of a vitamin C supplement on indices of myocardial oxidative stress and gene expression related to angiogenesis. Methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of normal (C), 100 and 200 mg/kg of vitamin C, (VC100 and VC200), exercise with 100 and 200 mg/kg of vitamin C (Ex+VC100 and Ex+VC200) and exercise without treatment (Ex). Finally, the serum activity of serum creatine phosphokinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and heart tissue oxidant/antioxidant parameters, besides gene expression of Vascular endothelial growth factor-B (VEGF-B), angiopoietin 1 (ANGPT-1) and matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) was measured. Results: Significant increase in LDH level was seen in group Ex which was remarkably attenuated in group Ex+VC200 (p<0.001). The tissue oxidative stress was observed in group Ex where daily intake of vitamin C could remarkably regulate this property (p<0.01). Vitamin C could ameliorate significant upper gene expression of VEGF-B and MMP-2 remarkably (p