Effect of antioxidants on ammonia induced CNS-renal pathobiology in sheep.

The effect of antioxidants on ammonia induced CNS and renal pathobiology in 10 sheep infested by L. Cuprina larvae was investigated. The condition produces severe dermatitis, proliferation of macrophages and hyperammonaemia, and free radicals may therefore be involved in the pathogenesis. Five of the sheep (treated group) were given daily intramuscular (im) injections of 2 g sodium ascorbate, 5.9 g dl-alpha tocopherol (11 days) and 3 g desferrioxamine mesylate (6 days) with 70 mg oral butylated-hydroxyanisole (11 days). The treatment prevented rises in jugular ammonia, creatinine, urea, sodium and pH, and decreases in water intake, urine output and glucose. The findings showed that antioxidants prevented ammonia induced CNS and renal pathobiology and suggest that free radicals contribute to the pathogenesis of the condition.