Does ascorbate/L-Cys/L-Met mixture protect different parts of the rat brain against chronic alcohol toxicity?
Chronic ingestion of high levels of alcohol may cause oxidative stress that results in the formation, through alcohol metabolism, of excess free radicals, acetaldehyde, lipid and protein oxidation, and their reactivity products. These harmful molecules may trigger oxidative damage to neurons and can cause cell death. It is hypothesized that cysteine-methionine and vitamin C may neutralize these harmful compounds while potentiating the antioxidant capacity of the cell or tissue. In the present study, rats were fed regular diets and were maintained for 90 days in (1) the control group, (2) the alcoholic group, which was given 2.5 g of 50% ethanol/kg body weight administered intragastrically every other day, or (3) the alcoholic with antioxidant supplement group, to whom 2.5 g of 50% ethanol/kg body weight + a solution that contained 200 mg vitamin C, 100 mg cysteine, and 100 mg methionine was administered intragastrically every other day. The mean blood alcohol level was raised by 40% in
