Ascorbic Acid vs Calcitriol in Influencing Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1, Nitric Oxide, Superoxide Dismutase, as Markers of Endothelial Dysfunction: In Vivo Study in Atherosclerosis Rat Model

Abstract

Introduction

Ascorbic acid and calcitriol were frequently utilized in conjunction as therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic, and individuals with minor symptoms had notable improvements. There have been a few studies, often with conflicting findings, that examine the use of them for endothelium restoration and numerous clinical trial studies that failed to establish the efficacy. The aim of this study was to find the efficacy of ascorbic acid compared to calcitriol on the inflammatory markers monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), nitric oxide (NO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as protective agents which play an important role in the early stages of atherosclerosis formation. This study was an experimental in vivo study.

Methods

The total of 24 male Rattus norvegicus strain Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, namely: control/normal group (N), atherosclerosis group (DL) given atherogenic diet, atherosclerosis group given atherogenic diet and ascorbic acid (DLC), and atherosclerosis group given atherogenic diet and calcitriol (DLD) treatment for 30 days.

Results

Ascorbic acid and calcitriol treatment was significantly effective (P<0.05) in lowering expression of MCP-1 and increasing NO and SOD level. Calcitriol was superior to ascorbic acid in increasing SOD (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between ascorbic acid and calcitriol in decreasing MCP-1 and increasing NO (P>0.05).

Discussion

Both treatments could reduce MCP-1, and increase NO and SOD by increasing antioxidants. In this study calcitriol was superior to ascorbic acid in increasing SOD, but not NO and decreasing MCP-1. According to the theory, it was found that calcitriol through nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) causes a direct increase in the amount of SOD. Nrf2 is an emerging regulator of cellular resistance to oxidants.

Conclusion

Ascorbic acid and calcitriol treatment was able to reduce MCP-1 and increase NO and SOD in atherosclerosis rat. Calcitriol was significantly superior in increasing SOD levels compared to ascorbic acid.

Keywords:

• ascorbic acid
• calcitriol
• monocyte chemoattractant protein-1
• nitric oxide
• superoxide dismutase
• atherosclerosis

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Institute of Research and Community Services, Universitas Syiah Kuala, under the Professor Research Grant 141/UN11/SPKPNBP/2022.