Effects of sulfur dioxide inhalation on plasma vitamin C and ceruloplasmin in ageing rats.

Ageing is associated with changes in physical characteristics and decline of many physiological functions. It has been accepted that the oxidative stress or damage induced by free radicals is related to ageing. Three age groups, 3, 12 and 24 months, were used to investigate whether age-associated changes in some parameters (vitamin C and ceruloplasmin) in the plasma of male Swiss-Albino rats and to observe possible effects of sulfur dioxide (SO2) for 6 weeks on the same parameters. Rats were exposed to 10 ppm SO2 1 hr/day, 7 days/week for 6 weeks. Control groups were exposed to filtered air in the same conditions. An effect of SO2 on those parameters was observed. The level of vitamin C and ceruloplasmin in plasma were decreased in young, middle-aged and old groups in response to SO2.