Lipid Peroxidation and Some Antioxidant Enzymes Evaluation in Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Treated Male and Female Wistar Rats Exposed to Chronic Restraint Stress

This study was designed to assess the effect to apple cider vinegar (ACV) on oxidative stress biomarkers in male and female Wistar rats exposed to chronic restraint stress. Severe and persistent stress elevates reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by metabolic and physiological processes; causing cellular damage. Thirty (30) Adult Wistar rats of both sexes weighing about 150 - 200 g were divided into 3 groups each consisting of a male and female subgroup and given the following treatments once a day for 21 days: Normal control group received 0.5 ml distilled water orally, the restraint stress (RS) group was exposed to chronic restraint stress 6 hours daily while the Apple cider vinegar (ACV)-treated group received 4 ml/kg of apple cider vinegar orally in addition to chronic restraint stress 6 hours daily. The rats were sacrificed after the experimental period and blood was collected via cardiac puncture for assessing oxidative stress biomarkers. ACV (4 ml/kg) treatment decreased lipid peroxidation (MDA) and serum catalase (CAT) activity while upregulating endogenous superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The findings of this study show that the female Wistar rats are more predisposed to the antioxidant effect of ACV than the males.