Evaluation of ascorbic acid, vitamin E and selenium combination as antioxidants in buffaloes suffering from traumatic reticuloperitonitis

The study was conducted on eighteen adult buffaloes suffering from traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP). Preoperative blood samples were taken and left flank laparorumenotomy was performed to remove foreign bodies. Postoperatively, broad spectrum antibiotic, analgesic and vitamin B_complex in appropriate doses were administered. In six animals, no other therapy was given and these animals served as control. In another six animals, ascorbic acid @ 7.5 gm in 500 ml 5 per cent dextrose normal saline was administered intravenously, immediately after surgery and thereafter at 24 and 48 hour post surgery. In remaining six animals, 10 ml E-Care Se^TM (containing a tocopheryl acetate 550 i.u. and sodium selenite 15 mg) was given intramuscularly immediately after surgery and then at 24 and 48 hour post surgery. Preoperatively, these buffaloes had lower values of sodium, potassium and chloride whereas the reduced glutathione (GSH) and packed cell volume (PCV) values were higher than the normal. In control animals of group A, the oxidative stress factor (OSF) was 59.46 per cent higher before surgery, whereas in treatment groups B and C, it was 69.05 and 39 per cent higher than the normal, respectively. In control animals, the OSF increased by 37.8 per cent at 54 hour post surgery whereas administration of ascorbic acid and vitamin E with selenium reduced the OSF by 32.5 and 44.1 per cent, respectively, at the same interval. In all animals, there was no improvement in the plasma concentrations of electrolytes.