Lathyrism is characterized by defective
collagen synthesis due to inhibition of
lysyl oxidase, an
enzyme essential for interfibrillar cross-linking. The lathyritic agent beta-aminoproprionitrile (beta-APN) is considered an appropriate agent for studying connective tissue metabolism. We investigated the effects of
ascorbic acid on
collagen structure and serum
cytokine levels in experimentally induced
lathyrism. Forty Wistar rats weighing 200-300 g were used in the study: three test groups of 10 rats each (groups 2, 3 and 4) and 10 rats used as a control group (group 1). Experimental
lathyrism was induced with daily
subcutaneous injections of beta-APN in the test groups for 40 days. On the 40th day, skin biopsies were taken from the control group (group 1) and group 2, to evaluate the effect of beta-APN on dermal
collagen. After the 40th day, 10 rats received
ascorbic acid 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally daily for 15 days (group 3) and 10 rats (group 4) received no medication and served as a control for group 3. On the 55th day, skin biopsies were taken from groups 3 and 4. Serum concentrations of
interleukin-6 and tumour
necrosis factor-alpha were assessed in each group by
enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. Ultrastructural examination of the skin biopsies in group 1 revealed normal-appearing epidermal and dermal structures. Group 2 showed disorganization of the epidermis and
collagen structure, and vacuolization of the endoplasmic reticulum in fibroblasts. In group 3, ultrastructural examination revealed significant improvement in the structure of dermal
collagen after administration of
ascorbic acid, whereas the changes in group 4 were unremarkable.
Ascorbic acid administration significantly decreased the concentrations of serum
cytokines in group 3 compared with group 2 (P < 0.001).
Ascorbic acid administration significantly improved dermal
collagen structure and serum
cytokine levels in experimental
lathyrism.