Vitamin C inhibits endothelial cell apoptosis in congestive heart failure

Background - Proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor- and oxidative stress induce apoptotic cell death in endothelial cells (ECs). Systemic inflammation and increased oxidative stress in congestive heart failure (CHF) coincide with enhanced EC apoptosis and the development of endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, we investigated the effects of antioxidative vitamin C therapy on EC apoptosis in CHF patients. Methods and Results - Vitamin C dose dependently suppressed the induction of EC apoptosis by tumor necrosis factor- and angiotensin II in vitro as assessed by DNA fragmentation, DAPI nuclear staining, and MTT viability assay. The antiapoptotic effect of vitamin C was associated with reduced cytochrome C release from mitochondria and the inhibition of caspase-9 activity. To assess EC protection by vitamin C in CHF patients, we prospectively randomized CHF patients in a double-blind trial to vitamin C treatment versus placebo. Vitamin C administration to CHF patients markedly reduced plasma levels of circulating apoptotic microparticles to 32±8% of baseline levels, whereas placebo had no effect (87±14%, P<0.005). In addition, vitamin C administration suppressed the proapoptotic activity on EC of the serum of CHF patients (P<0.001). Conclusions - Administration of vitamin C to CHF patients suppresses EC apoptosis in vivo, which might contribute to the established functional benefit of vitamin C supplementation on endothelial function

The effect of vitamin C on the erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes in intoxicated-lead rat offsprings

Objective: Lead exposure or lead poisoning is known to cause a large spectrum of physiological, biochemical, and behavioural disorders in animals. This study was aimed at assessing the effect of vitamin C on the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and the glutathione reductase activities in intoxicated- lead rat offsprings. Methods: This study was performed on the pups from female Wistar albino rats. The rats were divided into 4 groups and the treatments were administered through drinking water. Group1 (control group) consumed distilled water. Group 2 (lead group) consumed a solution of lead acetate (300mg/L). Group3 (lead + vitamin C) consumed a solution of lead (300mg/L) which was supplemented with vitamin C (2g/L). Group4 (vitamin group) consumed a solution of vitamin C (2g/L). The enzyme activities were determined in all the 4 groups. Results: The administration of lead showed a decrease in the enzyme activities. The superoxide dismutase activity was increased after the administration of lead in combination with vitamin C. The lead treated rats showed significantly lower body weights at birth and at weaning. The vitamin C treatment showed a significant increase in the body weight. The haemoglobin levels were significantly decreased in the lead-treated rats. The addition of vitamin C to the lead treatment and vitamin C alone could elevate the haemoglobin levels significantly. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that lead alterates the erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities. There was an increase in the superoxide dismutase activity following the treatment with vitamin C. This study suggests that the treatment with vitamin C during lactation has a therapeutic effect in the treatment of lead intoxication. The administration of vitamin C prevents haemoglobin reduction in the erythrocytes

Is there a role for vitamin C in preventing osteoporosis and fractures?:A review of the potential underlying mechanisms and current epidemiological evidence

Osteoporosis and related fractures are a major global health issue, but there are few preventative strategies. Previously reported associations between higher intakes of fruits and vegetables and skeletal health have been suggested to be partly attributable to vitamin C. To date, there is some evidence for a potential role of vitamin C in osteoporosis and fracture prevention but an overall consensus of published studies has not yet been drawn. The present review aims to provide a summary of the proposed underlying mechanisms of vitamin C on bone and reviews the current evidence in the literature, examining a potential link between vitamin C intake and status with osteoporosis and fractures. The Bradford Hill criteria were used to assess reported associations. Recent animal studies have provided insights into the involvement of vitamin C in osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis, and its role as a mediator of bone matrix deposition, affecting both the quantity and quality of bone collagen. Observational studies have provided some evidence for this in the general population, showing positive associations between dietary vitamin C intake and supplements and higher bone mineral density or reduced fracture risk. However, previous intervention studies were not sufficiently well designed to evaluate these associations. Epidemiological data are particularly limited for vitamin C status and for fracture risk and good-quality randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm previous epidemiological findings. The present review also highlights that associations between vitamin C and bone health may be non-linear and further research is needed to ascertain optimal intakes for osteoporosis and fracture prevention

Hubungan Kontribusi Zat Gizi Makanan Sekolah Dengan Kadar Hemoglobin Murid Sd Islam Integral Luqman Al-Hakim Purwodadi

Latar belakang: Anak sekolah merupakan kelompok rawan terhadap anemia gizi besi. Tidak cukupnya besi yang masuk dan rendahnya bioavailabilitas makanan yang mengandung besi merupakan penyebab kondisi ini. Pola menu yang bersumber utama dari tepung-tepungan, sayur dan buah yang mengandung penghambat penyerapan besi seperti tannin, phythate, oksalat, phosphate dan serat bila tidak diimbangi dengan mengkonsumsi zat pemacu penyerapan besi seperti besi heme, vitamin C dan protein, anemia gizi besi menjadi ancaman bagi anak sekolah. Tujuan: Menjelaskan hubungan kontribusi asupan protein, asupan besi heme, asupan besi non heme, kontribusi asupan total besi, kontribusi asupan asam folat, kontribusi asupan vitamin C, asupan phythate, asupan tannin dan asupan oksalat dari makanan sekolah, dengan kadar hemoglobin murid SD. Metode: Desain penelitian cross sectional dengan jumlah sampel 60 murid dari 72 murid kelas 2 dan 3 yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi. Data asupan protein, total besi, asam folat, vitamin C phythate, tannin dan oksalat diperoleh dengan food weighing selama lima hari pengukuran. Data hemoglobin diukur dengan cyanmethemoglobin. Data diuji dengan regresi linier dengan α 5%. Hasil: Sebanyak 66,67% sampel termasuk dalam kategori anemia. Kontribusi pemacu penyerapan zat besi yang terdiri dari protein, besi heme, besi non heme, total besi, asam folat dan vitamin C dengan nilai rerata 32,96 ± 6,00; 6,88 ± 1,35; 44,25 ± 2,97; 36,78 ± 2,33; 22,93 ± 3,85; 34,48 ± 7,39. Sedangkan asupan penghambat penyerapan besi yang terdiri dari phythate, tannin dan oksalat dengan rerata 351,97 ± 46,45; 5,43 ± 0,61 dan 38,20 ± 6,73. Kontribusi asupan protein, kontribusi asupan asam folat, kontribusi asupan vitamin C, asupan tannin dan asupan phythate berhubungan dengan p value < 0,05. Kontribusi asupan protein, kontribusi asupan asam folat, kontribusi asupan vitamin C, asupan tannin dan asupan phythate berhubungan secara signifikan dengan kadar hemoglobin murid SD Kesimpulan: Kontribusi asupan protein, kontribusi asupan asam folat, kontribusi asupan vitamin C, asupan tannin dan asupan phythate berhubungan secara signifikan dengan kadar hemoglobin murid SD Variasi dari kadar hemoglobin murid dapat dijelaskan oleh kontribusi asupan protein, kontribusi asupan asam folat, kontibusi asupan vitamin C, asupan tannin dan asupan phythate sebesar 81,4%

Vitamin C Prevents Hypogonadal Bone Loss

Epidemiologic studies correlate low vitamin C intake with bone loss. The genetic deletion of enzymes involved in de novo vitamin C synthesis in mice, likewise, causes severe osteoporosis. However, very few studies have evaluated a protective role of this dietary supplement on the skeleton. Here, we show that the ingestion of vitamin C prevents the low-turnover bone loss following ovariectomy in mice. We show that this prevention in areal bone mineral density and micro-CT parameters results from the stimulation of bone formation, demonstrable in vivo by histomorphometry, bone marker measurements, and quantitative PCR. Notably, the reductions in the bone formation rate, plasma osteocalcin levels, and ex vivo osteoblast gene expression 8 weeks post-ovariectomy are all returned to levels of sham-operated controls. The study establishes vitamin C as a skeletal anabolic agent. © 2012 Zhu et al

Antioxidant Capacity Of Frangipani (Plumeria Alba) Powder Extract

This research aimed to identify the antioxidant capacity, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and total phenolic compounds of frangipani flower powder. The powder was extracted using ethanol, methanol, acetic acid, and water (aquadest). Antioxidant capacity of each extract were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method, vitamin C were determined using 2,4 Dinitrophenylhydrazine, and total phenolic compounds were determined using Folin Ciocalteu reagent. All of parameters were measured by spectrofotometer. The result shows that the highest value of antioxidant capacity was ethanolic extract (18.19%) and the lowest value was acetic acid extract (12.74%). The highest value of vitamin C was aqueous extract (3.49 mg/100g) and the lowest value was acetic acid extract (3.02 mg/100g). The highest value of total phenolic content was aqueous extract (25.49 mg GAE/g) and the lowest value was acetic acid extract (22.74 mg GAE/g). In conclusion, the higher antioxidant capacity was not always followed by the higher of vitamin C and total phenolic compounds

Influence of vitamin C moderate dose supplementation on exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, muscle damage and inflammation

Aim. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of moderate dose vitamin C supplementation on exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, muscle damage and inflammation. Methods. Sixteen healthy untrained male individuals participated in a 30-min exercise at 75% VO2max. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1) placebo (P) and 2) vitamin C (VC: 500 mg vitamin C). Blood samples were obtained prior to supplementation (baseline), 2 h after supplementation (immediately pre-exercise), immediately, 2 and 24 h after exercise. Plasma levels of vitamin C, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), creatine kinase (CK), malondealdehyde (MDA), total leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and CRP were measured. Results. With supplementation, plasma vitamin C concentration increased significantly only in the VC group (P<0.05). TAC decreased significantly just in P group, 2 and 24 h after exercise (P<0.05). Although MDA levels were similar between groups at the baseline, only in the P group it increased significantly after exercise (P<0.05). CK increased immediately and 2 h after exercise in both groups and 24 h after exercise just in placebo group compared with pre-exercise (P<0.05). Markers of inflammation (total leukocytes, neutrophils, CRP and IL-6) increased significantly in response to the exercise in both groups (P<0.05). Conclusion. In conclusion, it seems that vitamin C acute moderate dose supplementation affects exercise-induced lipid peroxidation and muscle damage, but not inflammatory markers

The effect of intravenous vitamin C on the phosphorus level reduction in hemodialysis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trial

Aim The majority of hemodialysis patients are hyperphosphate-mic. Hyperphosphatemia in these patients can lead to renal oste-odystrophy, vascular calcifcation, cardiovascular events, and is independently associated with mortality risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravenous vitamin C on phosphorus level in hemodialysis patients. Methods Using a double blind randomized clinical trial, a total of 60 qualified hemodialysis patients were randomly allocated in two intervention and control groups and serum phosphorus, CRP, calcium, albumin and PTH levels were measured. At the end of each hemodialysis session, intervention group received vitamin C vial (500mg/5cc) intravenously three times a week for 8 weeks and control group received normal saline in the same way. Data were collected before and after two months of treatment. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test and chi-square test. Results Vitamin C treated group had a significant decrease in phosphorus (p=0.01), CRP level (p=0.01) and Ca�P product (p=0.03). In contrast, there was no significant difference in phosphorous (p= 0.5) and CRP levels (p= 0.6) and Ca�P product (p=0.7) in the control group. In addition, there was no statistically significant change in calcium (p=0.1), PTH (p=0.4) and albumin (p=0.4) levels in both groups. Conclusion Intravenous vitamin C can significantly decrease phosphorus level in hemodialysis patients

EFFECTS OF SOCIOECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON CONSUMPTION OF SELECTED FOOD NUTRIENTS

The effects of socioeconomic and demographic factors on the consumption of food energy, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, and iron are examined. Socioeconomic and demographic factors analyzed are urbanization, region, race, ethnicity, sex, employment status, food stamp participation, household size, weight, height, age, and income. Several of these factors significantly affect consumption of certain nutrients. Income is an important factor affecting the consumption of vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium. Income elasticities are relatively small at low income levels. For example, income elasticities range from 0.016 for calcium to 0.123 for vitamin C at an income level of $20,000.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Effects of soil variation between peat soil and mineral soil on fruit quality of pineapple (Ananas Comosus) cultivars: N36 and josapine

Consumption of pineapple is predicted to increase in the near future in which the demand for continuous supply of the fruit becomes of major interest. This research is focused on finding the influence of growth medium between peat soil and mineral soil to the weight and production of vitamin C and sugar contents of the pineapple fruits. Two cultivars were investigated: N36 and Josapine. The vitamin C is quantified by Iodate Titration and sugar content is analyzed by Digital Refractometer. The chemical soil properties were analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer at the Soil Analysis Section laboratory from Department Of Agriculture, Malaysia. All data were analyzed statistically through ANOVA by using SPSS. Results indicated that pineapple planted on peat soil produced heavier fruits than those in mineral soil. N36 pineapple reports no significant difference (p < 0.05) of the vitamin C content and the sweetness between different cultivation soil types. However, Josapine pineapples cultivated on mineral soil (FIMA Plantation) produce significantly 115% higher vitamin C content (19.243 ± 7.191 mg∙100g-1), and significantly 30% lower sugar content (5.403 ± 1.721% °Bx) than cultivated on peat soil (Peninsula Plantations). The finding of the soil type’s influence on the fruit quality production is beneficial for pineapple producers and researchers to broaden up the development of pineapple-based products in the long run. The promotion of pineapple nutritional contents is beneficial to increase consumers’ knowledge and awareness on the importance of pineapple consumption especially in Asian regions