Effects of vitamin E on ozone-induced memory deficits and lipid peroxidation in rats.

Ozone exposure induces increased production of free radicals which may result in oxidative stress. The objectives of this study were to determine the antioxidant effects of vitamin E on memory deficits and lipid peroxidation due to oxidative stress caused by acute ozone exposure. Rats were exposed to 0.7 p.p.m. ozone for 4 h and 50 mg/kg vitamin E was administered either before or after exposure. Experiment 1 evaluated alterations in short-term and long-term memory in a passive avoidance task. Experiment 2 quantified lipid peroxidation levels of the striatum, hippocampus and frontal cortex. Vitamin E administered before or after ozone exposure blocked memory deterioration and increases in lipid peroxidation levels associated with oxidative stress.