Table 2.
Principal findings of postnatal vitamin C deficiency in the brain—findings from murine models.
| VitC | Strain | Time-Point | Principal Findings | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deficiency | gulo −/− | PD1 | No reported change in lipid peroxidation. | [137] |
| PD10 PD18 |
Increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) in cerebellum, not cortex. | |||
| Increased lipid peroxidation (F2-isoprostanes) in cortex not cerebellum. Increased redox imbalance (GSH) in cortex. Possible increase in GFAP stained cells (astrocytes) albeit not quantified. No functional effects on locomotion, agility or strength were detected. | ||||
| Depleted | gulo −/− | PD21 | Increased redox imbalance (GSH). | [262] |
| Deficient | PD60–100 | No redox imbalance. Reduced locomotion but no effect on spatial learning (MWM). Spatial memory was not assessed. Enhanced response to dopaminergic agonist indicating deviated regulation of dopaminergic signaling. | ||
| Depletion | gulo −/− | Young adults (20 gr) |
Increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) and increased protein carbonyls in cortex. Decreased dopamine and serotonin metabolites in cortex and striatum. Locomotor deficits and reduced social dominance. | [180] |
| Depletion | gulo −/− | 4 wks–8 wks | Increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) in cortex, not cerebellum. | [97] |
| Deficiency | 4 wks–8 wks | Increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) in cortex, not cerebellum. | ||
| Deficient | gulo −/− | 6–18 wks old | Increased F4-neuroprostanes (also in vitC supplemented gulo−/− counterparts). Reduced sensimotory competence, most significant in deficient gulo−/−. Memory and cognition was not affected. | [263] |
| Depletion (acute) | akr1 −/− | Juvenile (5 wks old–1 wk deplet.) | No apparent redox imbalance. No recorded changes in hippocampal histology (n = 2). Reduced spatial memory competence. No effect on neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, glutamic acid, GABA, acetylcholine and selected metabolites). | [264] |
| Deficiency (long term) | Adult (12–13 wks) | No effect on spatial memory competence. | ||
| Depletion | SMP30/ GNL−/− |
PD30- 2,4,8 wks depletion |
4- and 8-wk depletion increased superoxide production ex vivo; reduced cells in cerebellar cortex after 8-wk depletion (though data not shown). No effect on SOD expression or activity. | [265] |
Deficiency: low vitC supplementation; depletion: no vitC supplementation; GABA: gamma aminobutyric acid; GFAP: glial fibrillary acidic protein; GSH: glutathione; MDA: malondialdehyde; PD: postnatal day; SOD: superoxide dismutase; wks: weeks.