L-Ascorbate protects rat hepatocytes against sodium arsenite--induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage.

Sodium arsenite-exposed hepatocytes of rat showed higher production of nitric oxide (NO) and increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) level vis-a-vis activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly lowered. Subsequently, the cell proliferation index (CPI) and cell viability were also reduced. Treatment with L-ascorbate was found effective in normalizing the arsenic-induced alteration of SOD and CAT activity and LPO level in rat hepatocytes. These observations indicated that L-ascorbate also has potent cytoprotective role as it could reduce the NO production and normalize the cell proliferation and viability of hepatocytes. Therefore, the in vitro study suggested that ascorbic acid is helpful to ameliorate the arsenic-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress of rat hepatocytes.