Histological study of the effect of vitamin E supplementation on the damaged skeletal muscle of adult male albino rats

ABSTRACT

This study investigated whether daily supplementation with vitamin E could modify the histological and ultrastructural indices of muscle damage following a crush injury. For this purpose nine adults [three months old] male albino rats weighing 250-300gm were used in this study. The animals were divided into three equal groups, a control group [group A] and two experimental groups [groups B and C]. The animals of the experimental groups [groups B and C] [3 animal each] were exposed to crush injury. Also the animals of group C received a daily dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight vitamin E orally by nasogasrtric tube for 4 weeks before and 3 days after crush injury. At the time of sacrifice, the animals were anaesthetized with ether inhalation and their tibialis anterior muscles, were carefully dissected out and processed for light and electron microscope examinations. Examination of the muscles of group B revealed haemorrhage and distorted muscle fibers with some apoptotic cells. The damaged segment showed gross tearing and degeneration. A large number of infiltrating cells were seen in the intercellular connective tissue and within the damaged muscle fibers. An increase in the macrophage number were noticed. However examination of group C revealed preserved muscle ultrastructure. Also infiltrating cells and the macrophages activity were decreased. From this study, it could be concluded that vitamin E supplementation reduce histological and ultrastructural indices of muscle damage. So, protective daily dose for sport players or any persons subjected to possible trauma is recommended