Protective Efficacy of Vitamin F against Acrylamide Induced Toxicity: Studies on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers

Vitamin F is also known as Linoleic Acid (LA), is an Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) which is not produced in humans. It can be modified to form essential precursors such as arachidonic acid which is used to make prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes. It is found in abundance in several vegetable oils such as sunflower, poppy seed, safflower and corn oils. LA has shown diverse beneficial effects against diseases such as cancer, skin permeability, insulin resistance, depression and cardiovascular diseases. Acrylamide (AA) is a well known neurotoxic, carcinogenic and genotoxic compound. It is used universally in the industrial process and recently found in various food products which are cooked at a temperature above 120˚C such as potato crisps, bread, cookies and french fries. Over exposure of humans and laboratory animals to monomer AA causes damages to the central and peripheral nervous system.

To investigate the therapeutic effect of linoleic acid against acrylamide toxicity.

AA was given at 38.27 mg/kg dose for 10 days and therapy with different doses of linoleic acid for three days (11-13 days) to female albino rats.

Signs and symptoms of acrylamide toxicity occur, they include significant body weight reduction, hair loss, splaying of hindlimbs, dragging of back legs and skin irritation. A significant decline was observed in hemoglobin level and GSH, whereas significant enhancement in LPO was noted, as compared to the control group after AA exposure. The activity of acetylcholinesterase was decreased in the brain after AA administration. AA significantly reduced the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in liver, kidney and brain but activities of serum transaminases, bilirubin, creatinine, urea and lipid profile increased in serum. Biochemical studies were also strengthened by histopathological observations.

Study has shown that linoleic acid promotes defense against AA toxicity.