Abstract

Severe vitamin C deficiency (ascorbic acid; AA) was induced in gulo-/- mice incapable of synthesizing their own AA. A number of behavioral measures were studied before and during the deprivation period, including a scorbutic period, during which weight loss was observed in the mice. Mice were then resuscitated with AA supplements. During the scorbutic period, gulo-/- mice showed decreased voluntary locomotor activity, diminished physical strength, and increased preference for a highly palatable sucrose reward. These behaviors all returned to control levels following resuscitation. Altered trial times in subordinate mice in the tube test for social dominance in the AA-deprived mice persisted following resuscitation and may signify a depressive-like behavior in these mice. Biochemical analyses were undertaken following a second deprivation period. AA deficiency was accompanied by decreased blood glucose levels, oxidative damage to lipids and proteins in the cortex, and decreases in dopamine and serotonin metabolites in both the cortex and striatum. Given the reasonably high proportions of the population that do not consume sufficient AA in the diet, these data have important implications for physical and psychological function in the general population.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Ward MS, Lamb J, May JM, Harrison FE

Institution

Department of Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.

Source

Journal of neurochemistry 124:3 2013 Feb pg 363-75

MeSH

Animals
Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic Acid Deficiency
Behavior, Animal
Biogenic Monoamines
Disease Models, Animal
Female
L-Gulonolactone Oxidase
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Knockout
Severity of Illness Index

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

23106783