Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences

Abstract
Vitamin C therapy is rarely integrated into routine post-surgical care despite its reported central role in redox regulation, collagen maturation, epithelial repair and adrenal stress modulation. The present study investigated the effects of short-term post-operative vitamin C administration on surgical wound and adrenal histopathology and selected serum biochemistry and haematological parameters of albino rats. Sixteen male rats (mean weight 261.94 ± 6.35 g) were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 8). All the rats underwent a standardized incision procedure with subcutaneous polypropylene tube implantation (2.5 × 0.25 cm) in the left groin region. In addition to routine post-operative care, Group I received intramuscular vitamin C (200 mg/kg) injection daily for five days, whereas Group II received routine post-operative care only. On day 10 post-surgery, wound morphology, adrenal histology, haematological indices and serum electrolyte profiles were evaluated. Results showed that rats in the vitamin C-treated group had complete epithelial closure, well-organized collagen deposition and an expanded zona glomerulosa. Rats in the untreated control group exhibited irregular epidermal architecture, less mature collagen and a more vacuolated zona fasciculata. The vitamin C-treated rats maintained higher serum sodium levels and a more balanced Na:K ratio, whereas the untreated controls showed increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and serum globulin, reflecting greater physiological stress. These findings demonstrate that post-operative vitamin C therapy enhanced wound healing, supported endocrine-electrolyte homeostasis and attenuated stress-related adrenal responses. These findings highlight the potential value of vitamin C therapy as an adjunct in surgical recovery.

Keywords: Vitamin C; Post-operative therapy; Wound healing; Albino rats; Histopathology; Neutrophil: Lymphocyte ratio.

How to cite this article:
Unamba-Oparah IC, Unamba-Oparah C and Ogide MI (2026). Effects of post-operative vitamin C therapy on surgical wound and adrenal histopathology, serum electrolytes and haematological markers of stress in albino rats. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 16(1): 1323 – 1332.

*Correspondence: E-mail: ihemsu01@yahoo.com Phone: +2348037369521

Effects of post-operative vitamin C therapy on surgical wound and adrenal histopathology, serum electrolytes and haematological markers of stress in albino rats

Ihemdirim C. Unamba-Oparah^{1 *}, Chioma Unamba-Oparah ² and Mishael I. Ogide ¹
¹ Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
²Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.