Safety and effectiveness of high-dose vitamin C in patients with COVID-19: a randomized open-label clinical trial

Background: Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble nutrient that functions as a key antioxidant and has been proven to be effective for boosting immunity. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of adding high-dose intravenous vitamin C (HDIVC) to the regimens for patients with severe COVID-19 disease. Methods: An open-label, randomized, and controlled trial was conducted on patients with severe COVID-19 infection. The case and control treatment groups each consisted of 30 patients. The control group received lopinavir/ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine and the case group received HDIVC (6 g daily) added to the same regimen. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between two groups with respect to age and gender, laboratory results, and underlying diseases. The mean body temperature was significantly lower in the case group on the 3rd day of hospitalization (p = 0.001). Peripheral capillary oxygen saturations (SpO2) measured at the 3rd day of hospitalization was also higher in the case group receiving HDIVC (p = 0.014). The median length of hospitalization in the case group was significantly longer than the control group (8.5 days vs. 6.5 days) (p = 0.028). There was no significant difference in SpO2 levels at discharge time, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and mortality between the two groups. Conclusions: We did not find significantly better outcomes in the group who were treated with HDIVC in addition to the main treatment regimen at discharge. Trial registration irct.ir (IRCT20200411047025N1), April 14, 2020 © 2021, The Author(s)

Nuestra Iglesia latinoamericana a los 50 años del Concilio Vaticano II

The contribution of the Second Vatican Council becomes evident in the ecclesiastic change that gave rise to the work by the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean. The starting point was the reality of church communities that have gone through the processes of the Church as the people of God, the Church of the poor, and the Church of communion and participation in the daily life of its members. An heir to the Council through Liberation Theology, the Church in Latin America does not only express itself in the documents by the four episcopal conferences carried out so far after the Second Vatican Council (Medellín, Puebla, Santo Domingo and Aparecida), but in the testimony of Christians, active agents in the life of the Church.El aporte del Concilio Vaticano II se evidencia mediante el cambio eclesial, el cual se verifica en el quehacer histórico de la Iglesia latinoamericana y caribeña a partir de la realidad de comunidades eclesiales que han vivido el proceso de la Iglesia pueblo de Dios, Iglesia de los pobres, Iglesia de comunión y participación en la vivencia diaria de su cotidianidad. Heredera del Concilio a partir de la teología de la liberación, la Iglesia latinoamericana no solo se expresa en los documentos de las cuatro conferencias episcopales hasta hoy realizadas después del Concilio Vaticano II –Medellín, Puebla, Santo Domingo y Aparecida–, sino en la que testimonian los cristianos, agentes mismos, protagonistas de la vida eclesial