ascorbic-acid and Acute-Disease

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an acute and severe complication after contrast media administration. The most important step in preventing CIN is identifying high-risk patients. In this review, we evaluate and summarize the evidence regarding the CIN prophylaxis, including the withdrawal of the potentially nephrotoxic drugs, hydration by isotonic solution or NaHCO(3), pharmaceutical treatment with N-acetylcysteine (N-AC), adenosine antagonists, ascorbic acid, renal procedures including hemofiltration or dialysis, and to the optimal use of the contrast. We suggest it is possible to reduce the burden of CIN by carefully incorporating these recommendations. After review of published literature in this field, we conclude that the cornerstone of the CIN prevention should be combination of hydration (normal saline or NaHCO(3)) and the use of N-AC.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Acute Disease; Acute Kidney Injury; Adenosine; Ascorbic Acid; Contrast Media; Elective Surgical Procedures; Emergency Treatment; Free Radical Scavengers; General Surgery; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Humans; Hydrotherapy; Preoperative Care; Renal Dialysis; Risk Assessment; Sodium Bicarbonate

Contrast-induced nephropathy continues to be a common cause of in-hospital acute kidney injury. Published studies on pathogenesis, clinical significance, diagnosis, and preventive measures have dramatically increased significantly in the past several years. This review will focus on new developments in contrast-induced nephropathy.. Studies on the clinical significance of contrast-induced nephropathy are reviewed along with initial reports of biomarkers in diagnosing this complication of iodinated contrast administration. Emerging literature on the relative nephrotoxicity of iso-osmolar versus low-osmolar contrast media and the value of bicarbonate hydration are discussed. More recent preventive measures using prostacyclin, 'statins', and erythropoietin are also reviewed.. Contrast-induced nephropathy is an increasing cause of acute kidney injury and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Future developments in this field will focus on refining the clinical significance of this complication, earlier diagnosis with biomarkers, clarifying the role for bicarbonate and iso-osmolar contrast agents as preventive strategies, and the introduction of new prophylactic techniques on the basis of an improved understanding of pathogenesis at the cellular level.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Acute Disease; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Ascorbic Acid; Contrast Media; Fluid Therapy; Hemofiltration; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Kidney Diseases; Renal Dialysis; Sodium Bicarbonate; Theophylline

The systemic inflammatory response syndrome results from an uncontrolled, overexpression of the normal host inflammatory response, leading to destruction of host tissue and subsequent organ failure. Oxidant stress has been implicated in this process both as a mechanism for direct cellular injury, as well as activation of intracellular signaling cascades within inflammatory cells resulting in progression of the inflammatory response. Vitamin E is an inexpensive, nontoxic, chain-breaking antioxidant that has therapeutic potential in regulating this process. This review seeks to evaluate the current literature regarding the use of Vitamin E in controlling the excessive inflammation seen in systemic inflammatory response syndrome and argues for further study of its therapeutic potential for these critically ill patients.

Topics: Acute Disease; alpha-Tocopherol; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Inflammation; Models, Biological; Models, Chemical; Multiple Organ Failure; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome; Vitamin E

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is readily absorbed from all parts of the gastrointestinal tract due to its hydrophilic potential. The biological effects in humans refer to practically every organ and system. The basic enzyme involved in its oxidation is alcohol dehydrogenase. Another important metabolic pathway is the Microsomal Ethanol-Oxidizing System (MEOS). Toxic effect on basic cell functions is produced both by ethanol and acetic aldehyde, its oxidation product which accounts for most of the acute and delayed effects of ethanol toxicity. In acute ethanol intoxication's the CNS symptoms are the first to manifest. Ethanol affects the CNS functions mainly through stimulating opiate and benzodiazepine receptors and a number of neurotransmitters. However, the attempts to diminish the toxic effects of ethanol on CNS by blocking the affected receptors have proved to be ineffective. In acute poisoning a basic essential is to sustain vital functions by following the principles of intensive care. Each case of acute ethanol intoxication must be subject to neurological examination for possible cerebro-cranial traumas. The diagnostics and treatment procedures should take account of the possible symptoms: convulsions, respiratory and cardiac failure, hypoglycemia, hypothermia, and severe gastric dysfunction. Vital signs monitoring and control of acid-base and water-electrolyte balance are a must. The toxic properties of ethanol metabolites can be particularly hazardous to patients treated with disulfiram. The patients who develop "antabuse response" should be given immediately iron and vitamin C intravenously.

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Ethanol; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Iron; Poisoning

Topics: Acute Disease; Algorithms; Analgesics; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Ascorbic Acid; Drug Therapy, Combination; Drug Utilization; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) belongs to the family of autoimmune diseases. The term "idiopathic", however, is no longer correct as it is in fact an immunologically-related thrombocytopenia. This is why nowadays it is referred to as immune thrombopenia. Clinically the acute and chronic forms of ITP can be distinguished. We discuss the different forms of treatment based upon data provided by various studies of ITP. If treatment with prednisone or with gammaglobulins fails, or after unsuccessful splenectomy, then alternative experimental therapies may have to be used. Some of these treatments are described with reference to their therapeutic benefit and their function.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Antineoplastic Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Autoimmune Diseases; Child; Chronic Disease; Danazol; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; gamma-Globulins; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Interferons; Isoantibodies; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; Rho(D) Immune Globulin; Splenectomy

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Bile Acids and Salts; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, Dietary; Chronic Disease; Fatty Liver; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Lipid Metabolism; Liver Cirrhosis; Scurvy

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Age Factors; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Nicotinic Acids; Phenethylamines; Recurrence; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia, Childhood; Tranquilizing Agents

The fundamental aim of this study is to establish the role of antioxidant supplementation in alleviating acute amitriptyline induced oxidative stress. The effect of supplementation was compared on treatment of acute amitriptyline intoxication cases for pain management, with alpha lipoic acid (ALA) alone or with vitamin C, with that of healthy individuals (group I), and those receiving only routine standard treatment (RST) as control (group II). A total of 132 human subjects divided into 5 groups were supplemented with either placebo, RST, RST with vitamin C, RST with ALA, or RST with vitamin C, and ALA. Results of this study revealed that the decrease in the level of oxidative stress and enzyme activity was observed among those supplemented with either alpha lipoic acid alone or along with vitamin C, with a slightly more decrease in the latter group. P value of < 0.001 was considered statistically significant. The percentage of benefit of treatment on supplementation with vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid showed a marked increase in group V cases after supplementation with both in combination. The results provided that the oxidative stress induced by acute amitriptyline poisoning is comparatively decreased by supplementation with antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid and vitamin C, than those only on routine standard treatment.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Amitriptyline; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Male; Oxidative Stress; Pain; Substance-Related Disorders; Thioctic Acid

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of α-lipoic acid in the treatment of aged type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with acute cerebral infarction.. 90 patients were randomly divided into two groups, on the basis of conventional treatment. The experiment group was administrated with α-lipoic acid, while only Vitamin C for the control group, for 3 consecutive weeks. Before and after the experiment, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured and scored with the NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale), and the changes of blood glucose, insulin function and other indicators were observed.. After the treatment, the plasma SOD and GSH-Px levels increased, while MDA decreased (p < 0.05), with statistical significance when compared with the control group (p < 0.01). NIHSS score, blood glucose, blood lipids and HOMA-IA of the experiment group decreased significantly (p < 0.01); and no significant adverse reactions were found in both groups.. α-lipoic acid was safe and effective in the treatment of aged T2DM complicated with acute cerebral infarction, significantly reducing the patient's oxidative stress, blood glucose and lipid levels and being able to improve islet function.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aging; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Glucose; Cerebral Infarction; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Thioctic Acid; Treatment Outcome

Vitamin C has important physical and mental health benefits and plasma concentrations reflect recent intakes. Inflammation associated with any acute illness can lead to poor appetite and low food intake in older people. The aims of this report were to assess the prevalence and clinical significance of vitamin C deficiency among hospitalized acutely-ill older patients.. Three hundred and twenty two patients (152 [47%] female), aged 65 yrs. and over who took part in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial had their nutritional status assessed from anthropometric, hematological and biochemical data at baseline, and after 6 weeks and 6 months. Vitamin C was measured using a fluorimetric technique and logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the influence of a number of clinical indicators, including tissue inflammation measured using C-reactive protein on vitamin C concentrations. Clinical outcome measures including symptoms of depression were also compared between patients with vitamin C deficiency and those with normal levels.. At baseline, 116 (36%) patients had a vitamin C concentration below 11 µmol/L indicating biochemical depletion. The figures at 6 weeks and 6 months were 28 (22%) and 44 (28%) patients, respectively. Older age, male gender, smoking, increased dependency and tissue inflammation were associated with lower vitamin C concentrations. Patients with vitamin C biochemical depletion had significantly increased symptoms of depression compared with those with higher concentrations at baseline (p=0.035) and at 6 weeks (p=0.028).. A high proportion of older patients had sub-optimal vitamin C status and this was associated with increased symptoms of depression.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aging; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; C-Reactive Protein; Depression; Double-Blind Method; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Inflammation; Male; Nutritional Status; Placebos; Prognosis; Sex Factors; Smoking

Excess production of reactive oxygen species is involved in the pathogenesis of airway disorders in horses. Trace element antioxidants have a beneficial role in oxidant/antioxidant balance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a combination of sodium selenite and ascorbic acid on clinical outcome, antioxidant enzymes, and trace elements status in horses with lower airway disease. For this purpose, 40 draft horses with lower airway disease were randomly selected (acute, n = 20; chronic, n = 20). Both acute and chronic cases were randomly allocated into two subgroups (ten each). Groups 1 and 2 were the horses with acute disease, while groups 3 and 4 were chronically ill. For all groups, each horse was administered antibiotic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and mucolytic drug. In addition, groups 2 and 4 were injected with 15 mg/kg sodium selenite and 30 mg/kg ascorbic acid every 24 h for successive 4 weeks. Venous blood samples were obtained from diseased horses on three occasions; at first examination, and at 2 and 4 weeks post-treatment. Clinically, antioxidant supplementation improved the clinical signs with significant decrease (p < 0.05) of the clinical index score in both acute and chronic cases. In supplemented groups compared with non-supplemented, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the levels of copper, zinc, selenium, and iron as well as in the activity of glutathione-S-transferase and catalase. Meanwhile, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the levels of manganese, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and low-density lipoprotein and in the activity of glutathione reductase. The results of the present study indicate that administration of sodium selenite and ascorbic acid may have beneficial effect on clinical outcome and antioxidant balance in horses with acute and chronic lower airway disease.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Chronic Disease; Drug Therapy, Combination; Horse Diseases; Horses; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Sodium Selenite; Trace Elements; Treatment Outcome

To test the hypothesis that acute hypoglycemia induces endothelial dysfunction and inflammation through the generation of an oxidative stress. Moreover, to test if the antioxidant vitamin C can further improve the protective effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) on endothelial dysfunction and inflammation during hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes.. A total of 20 type 1 diabetic patients underwent four experiments: a period of 2 h of acute hypoglycemia with or without infusion of GLP-1 or vitamin C or both. At baseline, after 1 and 2 h, glycemia, plasma nitrotyrosine, plasma 8-iso prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a), soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1a (sICAM-1a), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and flow-mediated vasodilation were measured. At 2 h of hypoglycemia, flow-mediated vasodilation significantly decreased, while sICAM-1, 8-iso-PGF2a, nitrotyrosine, and IL-6 significantly increased. The simultaneous infusion of GLP-1 or vitamin C significantly attenuated all of these phenomena. Vitamin C was more effective. When GLP-1 and vitamin C were infused simultaneously, the deleterious effect of hypoglycemia was almost completely counterbalanced.. At 2 h of hypoglycemia, flow-mediated vasodilation significantly decreased, while sICAM-1, 8-iso-PGF2a, nitrotyrosine, and IL-6 significantly increased. The simultaneous infusion of GLP-1 or vitamin C significantly attenuated all of these phenomena. Vitamin C was more effective. When GLP-1 and vitamin C were infused simultaneously, the deleterious effect of hypoglycemia was almost completely counterbalanced.. This study shows that vitamin C infusion, during induced acute hypoglycemia, reduces the generation of oxidative stress and inflammation, improving endothelial dysfunction, in type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, the data support a protective effect of GLP-1 during acute hypoglycemia, but also suggest the presence of an endothelial resistance to the action of GLP-1, reasonably mediated by oxidative stress.

Topics: Acute Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Glucose; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Therapy, Combination; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Incretins; Inflammation; Infusions, Intravenous; Insulin; Male; Oxidative Stress; Vasodilation; Young Adult

Hypovitaminosis C and D are highly prevalent in acutely hospitalized patients, but the clinical significance of these biochemical abnormalities is not known. Because deficiencies of vitamin C and D have been linked to psychologic abnormalities, vitamin C or D provision could improve the mood state of acutely hospitalized patients.. Double-blind clinical trial of the effect of vitamin C (500 mg twice daily) or vitamin D (1000 IU twice daily) on mood, as assessed with a validated instrument, the Profile of Mood States.. Vitamin C therapy increased plasma (P < 0.0001) and mononuclear leukocyte (P = 0.014) vitamin C concentrations and was associated with a 34% reduction in mood disturbance (P = 0.013). Vitamin D therapy increased plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (P = 0.0004), but had no significant effect on mood.. Treatment of hypovitaminosis C improves the mood state of acutely hospitalized patients.

Topics: Acute Disease; Affect; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Double-Blind Method; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Male; Prevalence; Psychological Tests; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) frequently cause exacerbations of chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Stimulation of the innate immune system may provide an early defence against such infections. The objective of this study was to determine whether Echinacea purpurea (EP) along with micronutrients may alleviate COPD exacerbations caused by acute URTI.. This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in COPD patients with acute URTI. Patients were given ciprofloxacin for 7 days and additionally one tablet per day of EP, of EP along with zinc, selenium and ascorbic acid (EP+), or of placebo until day 14. Serum levels of TNF α and interleukins 1β, 6 and 10 were measured before and after treatment. Until week 4 post-end of treatment, all patients had to daily report on COPD symptoms in diaries.. In total, 108 mostly male patients with a mean age of 65·8 years (40-81 years) were enrolled. Patients of the three treatment arms did not vary significantly in baseline characteristics. EP+, but not EP resulted in significantly less severe and shorter exacerbation episodes following URTI as compared with placebo suggesting a synergistic effect of Echinacea and micronutrients. Large variations in biomarkers in-between and within groups were unrelated to treatment. Study medication was safe and well tolerated with overall 15 adverse events one of which was serious. Among those, sleeping disorders were most frequent and likely related to the underlying disease.. The combination of EP, zinc, selenium and vitamin C may alleviate exacerbation symptoms caused by URTI in COPD. Further studies are warranted to investigate the interactions among Echinacea, zinc, selenium and vitamin C.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Infective Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Ciprofloxacin; Disease Progression; Double-Blind Method; Drug Synergism; Echinacea; Female; Herb-Drug Interactions; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Male; Micronutrients; Middle Aged; Phytotherapy; Placebos; Plant Extracts; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Tract Infections; Selenium; Treatment Outcome; Vitamins; Zinc

One hundred and one patients at the age of 18 to 60 years suffering from influenza were observed during increased ratio of the sickness due to the influenza virus types A (H1N1 and H3N2) and B. The diagnosis of influenza was confirmed by the laboratory tests. Viferon was used in the treatment of 35 patients. The randomized double blind placebo-controlled study revealed high therapeutic efficacy ofviferon and its immunomodulating effect on the T-cells, the neutrophil phagocytic activity and the decrease of the levels of the circulating immune complexes. Viferon and arbidol decreased the fever periods and the toxicosis symptoms vs. the placebo. The therapeutic efficacies of viferon and arbidol were on the whole comparable, whereas the clinical findings and the results of the immunological tests were evident of the viferon higher therapeutic and immunomodulating efficacy. No side effects of the drugs were recorded. The tolerability was excellent. Viferon can be recommended for the treatment of influenza in adults.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Antiviral Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype; Influenza, Human; Interferon alpha-2; Interferon-alpha; Male; Middle Aged; Ointments; Recombinant Proteins; Suppositories; Vitamin E

Based on equivocal clinical data, intravenous antioxidant therapy has been used for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis. To date there is no randomised comparison of this therapy in severe acute pancreatitis.. We conducted a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of intravenous antioxidant (n-acetylcysteine, selenium, vitamin C) therapy in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis. Forty-three patients were enrolled from three hospitals in the Manchester (UK) area over the period June 2001 to November 2004. Randomisation stratified for APACHE-II score and hospital site, and delivered groups that were similar at baseline.. Relative serum levels of antioxidants rose while markers of oxidative stress fell in the active treatment group during the course of the trial. However, at 7 days, there was no statistically significant difference in the primary end point, organ dysfunction (antioxidant vs placebo: 32% vs 17%, p = 0.33) or any secondary end point of organ dysfunction or patient outcome.. This study provides no evidence to justify continued use of n-acetylcysteine, selenium, vitamin C based antioxidant therapy in severe acute pancreatitis. In the context of any future trial design, careful consideration must be given to the risks raised by the greater trend towards adverse outcome in patients in the treatment arm of this study.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; APACHE; Ascorbic Acid; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Pancreatitis; Selenium; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Aspirin; Diphenhydramine; Drug Combinations; Humans; Military Personnel; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rutin; Treatment Outcome

To evaluate the effect of antioxidant Vitamins E and C as adjunct therapy of severe acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in children.. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.. A large childrens' hospital serving the urban poor in Kolkata, India.. Children aged 2-35 months admitted with severe ALRI.. In total, 174 children were randomly assigned to receive alpha-tocopherol 200 mg and ascorbic acid 100 mg twice daily or placebo for 5 days. All children received standard treatment for severe ALRI. Outcome measures were: time taken to recover from a very ill status, fever, tachypnoea, and feeding difficulty; and improvement in oxidative stress and immune response indicated by thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) and response to skin antigens, respectively.. Recovery rate ratios (95% CI) using proportional hazards model were 0.89 (0.64-1.25), 1.01 (0.72-1.41), 0.86 (0.57-1.29), and 1.12 (0.77-1.64) for very ill status, feeding difficulty, fever, and tachypnoea, respectively. TBARS values were high and similar in the two groups at admission, discharge, and at 2 weeks follow-up. Serum alpha-tocopherol significantly increased in treated group at discharge. Immune response to skin antigens were very poor at admission and after 2 weeks, in both groups.. Infants with severe ALRI failed to benefit from two antioxidant nutrients as adjunct therapy. Severe ALRI in infants may cause cell-mediated immune dysfunction. We need a better understanding of oxidative processes in growing infants to help us better design interventions with antioxidant therapy.

Topics: Acute Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Child, Preschool; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; India; Infant; Male; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Proportional Hazards Models; Respiratory Tract Infections; Severity of Illness Index; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin E

Topics: Acetaminophen; Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Analgesics; Antioxidants; Antiviral Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium Gluconate; Combined Modality Therapy; Dibenzoxepins; Drug Combinations; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Male; Olopatadine Hydrochloride; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Rimantadine; Rutin; Treatment Outcome

This clinical study compared the dynamics of antioxidants levels in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), patients operated for colorectal cancer (CA), and healthy control subjects.. This prospective descriptive study enrolled 21 AP and 14 CA patients and 17 healthy controls. Blood was collected from AP patients on days 1, 5, and 9 and from CA patients before surgery and on days 1, 5, and 9 after surgery. We measured concentrations of selenium in plasma, red blood cells (RBCs), and big-toe nails, vitamin A (retinol) in serum, alpha-tocopherol in serum and in RBCs, vitamin C in serum, concentration ratio of 9,11- and 10,12-octadecanoic acids to linoleic acid in RBC membrane, activity of superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in RBCs.. Plasma concentrations of selenium, vitamin A, and vitamin C were significantly lower in AP and CA patients than in healthy controls over the monitored period (P < 0.05). Patients with severe AP had a significantly lower concentration of selenium in RBCs than did healthy controls and CA patients (P < 0.05). The concentration of selenium in toe nails of AP patients was significantly lower than that in CA patients and healthy controls (P < 0.001). The marker of increased reactive oxygen species activity the ratio of 9,11- and 10,12-octadecanoic acids to linoleic acid in RBCs was significantly higher in AP and CA patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.05).. Low levels of measured antioxidants and increased activity of reactive oxygen species occurred during the course of AP. These findings applied in particular to patients who had severe AP. Levels of measured antioxidants seemed to be similar in AP and CA patients except for lower levels of selenium in toe nails in AP patients and lower selenium concentrations in RBCs in patients with severe AP.

Topics: Acute Disease; Acute-Phase Reaction; Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; Colorectal Neoplasms; Erythrocytes; Female; Glutathione Peroxidase; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nails; Pancreatitis; Prospective Studies; Reactive Oxygen Species; Selenium; Superoxide Dismutase; Vitamin A

To test whether supplementary antioxidants immediately following acute ischaemic stroke will enhance antioxidant capacity and mitigate oxidative damage.. A randomised controlled trial.. A university teaching hospital.. A total of 48 acute ischaemic stroke patients within 12 h of symptom onset.. Daily oral 800 IU (727 mg) of alpha-tocopherol and 500 mg of vitamin C (n = 24), or no treatment (n = 24) for 14 days. Treatment group and controls were matched for stroke subtype and age.. alpha-Tocopherol, ascorbic acid, total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) before treatment, at day 7 and day 14 following recruitment.. In all, 14 days of vitamin supplementation significantly improved plasma alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic concentrations in the treatment group compared with the decrease seen in the control group (P < 0.005 for difference in cumulative changes). TAOC increased significantly in the treatment group compared with controls (P < 0.003). There was a significant reduction in plasma MDA concentration in the treatment group, in contrast to the increase seen in the control group (P < 0.002). After adjusting for clinical complications CRP concentrations within 90 days postinfarct were significantly lower in the treatment group compared with controls.. Supplementation with antioxidant vitamins within 12 h of onset of acute ischaemic stroke increased antioxidant capacity, reduced lipid peroxidation products and may have an anti-inflammatory effect.. Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha-Tocopherol; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Brain Ischemia; C-Reactive Protein; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress

To evaluate the role of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in acute ocular burns.. Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.. Patients with grade II to IV ocular burns within 3 weeks of injury were recruited. Thirty-seven patients, 7 of whom had bilateral involvement (total, 44 eyes), participated in the trial. Twenty eyes were included in group A (AMT) and 24 eyes were included in group B (controls).. The eyes in the AMT group underwent AMT in addition to conventional medical therapy. In the control group, only conventional medical therapy was instituted.. The patients' subjective assessments of relief of ocular discomfort, healing of the corneal epithelial defect, visual acuity, extent of corneal vascularization, formation of symblepharon, and tear function tests.. At day 1, subjective ocular discomfort scores were reduced significantly in eyes with moderate burns in the AMT group compared with controls (P = 0.05), but there was no difference between the 2 groups in eyes with severe burns. The log mean percentage reduction in size of epithelial defect by day 7 was 7.43+/-0.89 after AMT and 6.23+/-1.10 with medical treatment alone in moderate grade burns at day 7 (P = 0.01), but there was no difference between the 2 groups in eyes with severe burns. There was no overall difference in the final visual acuity, symblepharon formation, corneal vascularization, and tear function tests between the 2 groups over the next 3 months and further follow-up. There was a high dropout rate for long-term follow-up.. Amniotic membrane transplantation in eyes with acute ocular burns has advantages in terms of reduction of pain and promotion of early epithelialization in patients with moderate grade burns, but not so in severe burns. There seems to be no definite advantage to AMT over medical therapy alone in terms of improvement in visual acuity, appearance of symblepharon, corneal vascularization, and results of tear function tests on short-term follow-up.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Amnion; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Burns, Chemical; Citrates; Combined Modality Therapy; Cornea; Corneal Diseases; Drug Therapy, Combination; Eye Burns; Female; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Male; Ophthalmic Solutions; Prospective Studies; Sodium Citrate; Tears; Tropanes; Wound Healing

Mortality increases when acute coronary syndromes are complicated by stress-induced hyperglycemia. Early pulse wave reflection can augment central aortic systolic blood pressure and increase left ventricular strain. Altered pulse wave reflection may contribute to the increase in cardiac risk during acute hyperglycemia. Chronic ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation has recently been shown to reduce pulse wave reflection in diabetes. We investigated the in vivo effects of acute hyperglycemia, with and without AA pretreatment, on pulse wave reflection and arterial hemodynamics. Healthy male volunteers were studied. Peripheral blood pressure (BP) was measured at the brachial artery, and the SphygmoCor pulse wave analysis system was used to derive central BP, the aortic augmentation index (AIx; measure of systemic arterial stiffness), and the time to pulse wave refection (Tr; measure of aortic distensibility) from noninvasively obtained radial artery pulse pressure (PP) waveforms. Hemodynamics were recorded at baseline and then every 30 min during a 120-min systemic hyperglycemic clamp (14 mmol/l). The subjects, studied on two separate occasions, were randomized in a double-blind, crossover manner to placebo or 2 g intravenous AA before the initiation of hyperglycemia. During hyperglycemia, AIx increased and Tr decreased. Hyperglycemia did not change peripheral PP but did magnify central aortic PP and diminished the normal physiological amplification of PP from the aorta to the periphery. Pulse wave reflection, as assessed from peripheral pulse wave analysis, is enhanced during acute hyperglycemia. Pretreatment with AA prevented the hyperglycemia-induced hemodynamic changes. By protecting hemodynamics during acute hyperglycemia, AA may have therapeutic use.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Antioxidants; Aorta; Arteries; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Pressure; Brachial Artery; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Elasticity; Glucose Clamp Technique; Hemodynamics; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Pulse; Radial Artery

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of acute hyperhomocysteinemia on distensibility and compliance of large peripheral arteries. Isoprostanes generation and antioxidant vitamins were used to assess the role of oxidative stress.. A cross-over, double-blind study on distensibility (DC: distensibility coefficient) and compliance (CC: cross-sectional compliance) of common femoral and brachial arteries was performed in 12 healthy young male volunteers by means of a wall track system before and 4 h after a single oral methionine (100 mg/kg) or placebo administration. The effects of methionine load were investigated also after oral administration of vitamin C (1g/day) and vitamin E (800 mg/day) for 8 consecutive days.. Oral methionine induced a significant increase in plasmatic levels of homocysteine. Distensibility and compliance of brachial and femoral arteries were significantly reduced after methionine load in comparison to placebo. This acute impairment of arterial wall mechanical properties was associated to endothelial dysfunction, since altered flow-dependent vasodilatation (P < 0.05 versus placebo) was observed in the same arterial districts. A significant increase in urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha was observed after methionine. Pretreatment with vitamins C and E prevented the effects of methionine on femoral and brachial arteries as well as on urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha excretion.. Hyperhomocysteinemia seems responsible for altered arterial wall elasticity and for endothelial dysfunction. A pivotal role can be attributed to oxidative stress.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Flow Velocity; Brachial Artery; Compliance; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Femoral Artery; Homocysteine; Humans; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Male; Methionine; Oxidative Stress; Regional Blood Flow; Time Factors; Vasodilation

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of triclabendazole (CAS 68786-66-3) therapy alone or in combination with ascorbic acid (vitamin C, CAS 50-81-7) and tocofersolan (vitamin E, CAS 30999-06-5), in Fasciola hepatica patients, on Lipo-peroxidation (LPO) and blood antioxidant capacity. 32 Fasciola hepatica patients were divided into two groups (16 acute and 16 chronic). Each group was divided into two subgroups of 8 patients each. One subgroup was given two consecutive oral doses each of 10 mg/kg body weight of triclabendazole suspension and the other received vitamin C (1000 mg/day) and vitamin E (600 mg/day) for two months, together with the same dose of triclabendazole given to the first subgroup. Ten healthy subjects served as controls. The results revealed a significant increase in serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels and a significant decrease in glutathione levels as well as in glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in all study groups compared to their corresponding control values. After triclabendazole treatment, pronounced improvements in all studied parameters were observed which could be attributed to the fasciolicidal effect of the drug. The significant improvement of SOD and GPX activities and in lipid peroxide levels after vitamins supplementation as compared to their corresponding values after treatment with triclabendazole alone could be explained on the basis of the potent action of these vitamins in protection against oxidative damage.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Anthelmintics; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Benzimidazoles; Chronic Disease; Drug Combinations; Erythrocytes; Fascioliasis; Female; Glutathione; Glutathione Peroxidase; Humans; Lipid Peroxides; Liver Function Tests; Male; Superoxide Dismutase; Triclabendazole; Vitamin E

During myocardial infarction (MI), high levels of circulating procoagulant microparticles (MP) shed from endothelial cells and platelets diffuse prothrombotic and proinflammatory potentials crucial for the coronary prognosis. In addition to conventional treatments, we evaluated whether vitamin C treatment could modify circulating levels of procoagulant MP. Upon admission, 61 patients with MI were prospectively randomized for immediate additional vitamin C treatment. Circulating MP were quantified by functional prothrombinase assay before and after 5 days of vitamin C administration (1 g day-1). The cellular origin of MP was also assessed. In vitamin C-treated patients, the reduction in platelet-derived MP was 10% higher (P = 0.01). In patients with diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia or more than two cardiovascular risk factors, vitamin C decreased endothelial and platelet-derived MP levels by approximately 70% and 13%, respectively. This early effect on circulating platelet and endothelial-derived MP, testifies to the importance of oxidative stress during MI. Vitamin C could prove beneficial for the outcome of patients at higher thrombotic risk.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Platelets; Cardiotonic Agents; Coronary Angiography; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction; Platelet Activation; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Thromboplastin

To observe the therapeutic efficacy of high-dose Vitamin C (Vit. C) on acute pancreatitis (AP), and to explore its potential mechanisms.. Eighty-four AP patients were divided into treatment group and control group, 40 healthy subjects were taken as a normal group. In the treatment group, Vit. C (10 g/day) was given intravenously for 5 days, whereas in the control group, Vit. C (1 g/day) was given intravenously for 5 days. Symptoms, physical signs, duration of hospitalization, complications and mortality rate were monitored. Meanwhile, serum amylase, urine amylase and leukocyte counts were also determined. The concentration of plasma vitamin C (P-VC), plasma lipid peroxide (P-LPO), plasma vitamin E (P-VE), plasma beta-carotene (P-beta-CAR), whole blood glutathione (WB-GSH) and the activity of erythrocyte surperoxide dimutase (E-SOD) and erythrocyte catalase (E-CAT) as well as T lymphocyte phenotype were measured by spectrophotometry in the normal group and before and after treatment with Vit. C in the treatment and the control group.. Compared with the normal group, the average values of P-VC, P-VE, P-beta-CAR, WB-GSH and the activity of E-SOD and E-CAT in AP patients were significantly decreased and the average value of P-LPO was significantly increased, especially in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients (P<0.05. P-VC, P=0.045; P-VE, P=0.038; P=0.041; P-beta-CAR, P=0.046; WB-GSH, P=0.039; E-SOD, P=0.019; E-CAT, P=0.020; P-LPO, P=0.038). Compared with the normal group, CD3 and CD4 positive cells in AP patients were significantly decreased. The ratio of CD4/CD8 and CD4 positive cells were decreased, especially in SAP patients (P<0.05. CD4/CD8, P=0.041; CD4, P =0.019). Fever and vomiting disappeared, and leukocyte counts and amylase in urine and blood become normal quicker in the treatment group than in the control group. Moreover, patients in treatment group also had a higher cure rate, a lower complication rate and a shorter in-ward days compared with those in he control group. After treatment, the average value of P-VC was significantly higher and the values of SIL-2R, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05 P-VC, P=0.045; SIL-2R, P=0.012; TNF-alpha, P=0.030; IL-6, P=0.015; and IL-8, P=0.043). In addition, the ratio of CD4/CD8 and CD4 positive cells in the patients of treatment group were significantly higher than that of the control group after treatment (P<0.05. CD4/CD8, P=0.039; CD4, P=0.024).. High-dose vitamin C has therapeutic efficacy on acute pancreatitis. The potential mechanisms include promotion of anti-oxidizing ability of AP patients, blocking of lipid peroxidation in the plasma and improvement of cellular immune function.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Cytokines; Female; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Injections, Intravenous; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis

To observe outcome in a cohort of patients with severe acute pancreatitis receiving multiple anti-oxidant therapy.. An observational study was carried out in 46 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis fulfilling current Atlanta consensus criteria for severe disease. All patients received multiple anti-oxidant therapy based on intravenous selenium, N-acetylcysteine and ascorbic acid plus beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol delivered via nasogastric tube. Principal outcomes were the effect of anti-oxidant supplementation on anti-oxidant levels, morbidity and mortality in patients on anti-oxidant therapy, case-control analysis of observed survival compared to predicted survival derived from logistic organ dysfunction score (LODS), logistic regression analysis of factors influencing outcome and side effect profile of anti-oxidant therapy.. Paired baseline and post-supplementation data were available for 25 patients and revealed that anti-oxidant supplementation restored vitamin C (P = 0.003) and selenium (P = 0.028) toward normal. In univariate survival analysis, patient survival to discharge was best predicted by admission APACHE-II score with relative risk of death increasing 12.6% for each unit increase (95% CI 6.0% to 19.6%). The mean LODS calculated on admission to hospital was 3.7 (standard error of the mean 4.1) giving a predicted mortality for the cohort of 21%. The observed in-hospital mortality was 43%.. Case-control analyses do not appear to demonstrate any benefit from the multiple anti-oxidant combination of selenium, N-acetylcysteine and ascorbic acid in severe acute pancreatitis.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha-Tocopherol; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Pancreatitis; Selenium; Survival Rate

We studied the effect of the antioxidants (AOX) ascorbic acid (2 g, I.V.) and alpha-tocopherol (200 mg, P.O.) on the depressant effect of subanaesthetic doses of halothane (0.11 % end-tidal concentration) on the acute isocapnic hypoxic ventilatory response (AHR), i.e. the ventilatory response upon inhalation of a hypoxic gas mixture for 3 min (leading to a haemoglobin saturation of 82 +/- 1.8 %) in healthy male volunteers. In the first set of protocols, two groups of eight subjects each underwent a control hypoxic study, a halothane hypoxic study and finally a halothane hypoxic study after pretreatment with AOX (study 1) or placebo (study 2). Halothane reduced the AHR by more than 50 %, from 0.79 +/- 0.31 to 0.36 +/- 0.14 l min(-1) %(-1) in study 1 and from 0.79 +/- 0.40 to 0.36 +/- 0.19 l min(-1) %(-1) in study 2, P < 0.01 for both. Pretreatment with AOX prevented this depressant effect of halothane in the subjects of study 1 (AHR returning to 0.77 +/- 0.32 l min(-1) %(-1), n.s. from control), whereas placebo (study 2) had no effect (AHR remaining depressed at 0.36 +/- 0.27 l min(-1) %(-1), P < 0.01 from control). In a second set of protocols, two separate groups of eight subjects each underwent a control hypoxic study, a sham halothane hypoxic study and finally a sham halothane hypoxic study after pretreatment with AOX (study 3) or placebo (study 4). In studies 3 and 4, sham halothane did not modify the control hypoxic response, nor did AOX (study 3) or placebo (study 4). The 95 % confidence intervals for the ratio of hypoxic sensitivities, (AOX + halothane) : halothane in study 1 and (AOX - sham halothane) : sham halothane in study 3, were [1.7, 2.6] and [1.0, 1.2], respectively. Because the antioxidants prevented the reduction of the acute hypoxic response by halothane, we suggest that this depressant effect may be caused by reactive species produced by a reductive metabolism of halothane during hypoxia or that a change in redox state of carotid body cells by the antioxidants prevented or changed the binding of halothane to its effect site. Our findings may also suggest that reactive species have an inhibiting effect on the acute hypoxic ventilatory response.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; alpha-Tocopherol; Anesthetics, Inhalation; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Halothane; Humans; Hypoxia; Male; Respiration; Single-Blind Method

The value of azithromycin for treatment of acute bronchitis is unknown, even though this drug is commonly prescribed. We have investigated this question in a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial.. Adults diagnosed with acute bronchitis, without evidence of underlying lung disease, were randomly assigned azithromycin (n=112) or vitamin C (n=108) for 5 days (total dose for each 1.5 g). All individuals were also given liquid dextromethorphan and albuterol inhaler with a spacer. The primary outcome was improvement in health-related quality of life at 7 days; an important difference was defined as 0.5 or greater. Analysis was by intention to treat.. The study was stopped by the data-monitoring and safety committee when 220 patients had been recruited. On day 7, the adjusted difference in health-related quality of life was small and not significant (difference 0.03 [95% CI -0.20 to 0.26], p=0.8). 86 (89%) of 97 patients in the azithromycin group and 82 (89%) of 92 in the vitamin C group had returned to their usual activities by day 7 (difference 0.5% [-10% to 9%], p>0.9). There were no differences in the frequency of adverse effects; three patients in the vitamin C group discontinued the study medicine because of perceived adverse effects, compared with none in the azithromycin group. Most patients (81%) reported benefit from the albuterol inhaler.. Azithromycin is no better than low-dose vitamin C for acute bronchitis. Further studies are needed to identify the best treatment for this disorder.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of Variance; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Azithromycin; Bronchitis; Chi-Square Distribution; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome

We assessed forearm blood flow and plasma fibrinolytic factors in eight healthy males who received unilateral brachial artery infusions of the endothelium-dependent vasodilator, substance P, and the endothelium-independent vasodilator, sodium nitroprusside. These measurements, together with platelet aggregation studies, were performed on four occasions after double-blind randomized ingestion of placebo, methionine (0.1 mg/kg), vitamin C (2 g) and methionine plus vitamin C. Blood flow and platelet aggregation responses were unaffected by methionine loading. Substance P caused dose-dependent increases in plasma tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen (from 3.0+/-0.1 to 4.7+/-0.4 ng/ml; P<0.001) and activity (from 1.2+/-0.2 to 4.2+/-0.4 i.u./ml; P<0.001), which were augmented during acute methionine loading (4.7+/-0.4 to 5.6+/-0.5 ng/ml and 4.2+/-0.4 to 5.5+/-0.9 i.u./ml respectively; P

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Endothelium, Vascular; Fibrinolysis; Forearm; Humans; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Male; Methionine; Nitroprusside; Platelet Aggregation; Regional Blood Flow; Substance P; Tissue Plasminogen Activator; Vasodilation; Vasodilator Agents

Endothelium-dependent vasodilation is impaired in patients with insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and restored by vitamin C administration, implicating a causative role for oxidant stress. Hyperglycemia per se attenuates endothelium-dependent vasodilation in healthy subjects. Accordingly, this study investigated whether impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation caused by hyperglycemia in nondiabetic humans is restored by administration of the antioxidant vitamin C.. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was measured by incremental brachial artery administration of methacholine chloride (0.3 to 10 microg/min) during euglycemia, after 6 hours of hyperglycemia (300 mg/dL) created by dextrose (50%) intra-arterial infusion, and with coadministration of vitamin C (24 mg/min) during hyperglycemia. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was significantly diminished by hyperglycemia (P:=0.02 by ANOVA) and restored by vitamin C (P:=0.04). In contrast, endothelium-dependent vasodilation was not affected by equimolar infusions of mannitol, with and without vitamin C coinfusion (P:=NS). Endothelium-independent vasodilation was measured by incremental infusion of verapamil chloride (10 to 300 microg/min) without and with coadministration of N:(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). In the absence of L-NMMA, endothelium-independent vasodilation was not significantly altered during hyperglycemia (P:=NS) but was augmented by vitamin C (P:=0.04). The coadministration of L-NMMA eliminated the vitamin C-related augmentation in verapamil-mediated vasodilation.. Vitamin C administration restores endothelium-dependent vasodilation impaired by acute hyperglycemia in healthy humans in vivo. These findings suggest that hyperglycemia may contribute in part to impaired vascular function through production of superoxide anion.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Flow Velocity; Blood Glucose; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Forearm; Glucose; Glucose Clamp Technique; Hemodynamics; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Infusions, Intra-Arterial; Male; Methacholine Chloride; Nitric Oxide; Osmolar Concentration; Vasodilation; Verapamil

The state of processes of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense was studied in patients with severe isolated craniocerebral closed injury. It was found that starting from the first days in the hospital the patients demonstrated marked alterations in the thiol-disulfide and ascorbate metabolism, activation of lipid peroxidation processes and lower antioxidant defense. The use of Solcoseryl as a component of the antioxidant therapy in treatment of the above mentioned category of patients resulted in considerably better indices of the thiol-disulfide metabolism. The isolated use of Solcoseryl failed to influence the ascorbate metabolism and lipid peroxidation. Solcoseryl used in combination with the ascorbic acid led to normalization of the thiol-disulfide and ascorbade metabolism without influencing the lipid peroxidation processes. Combined use of Solcoseryl and ascorbic acid promoted normalization of the neurological status and stabilization of the arterial pressure level.

Topics: Actihaemyl; Acute Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Craniocerebral Trauma; Critical Care; Drug Therapy, Combination; Free Radicals; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Oxidation-Reduction; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Time Factors

Increased levels of homocysteine are associated with risk of cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine may cause this risk by impairing endothelial cell function.. To evaluate the effect of acute hyperhomocysteinemia with and without antioxidant vitamin pretreatment on cardiovascular risk factors and endothelial functions.. Observer-blinded, randomized crossover study conducted at a university hospital in Italy.. Twenty healthy hospital staff volunteers (10 men, 10 women) aged 25 to 45 years.. Subjects were given each of 3 loads in random order at 1-week intervals: oral methionine, 100 mg/kg in fruit juice; the same methionine load immediately following ingestion of antioxidant vitamin E, 800 IU, and ascorbic acid, 1000 mg; and methionine-free fruit juice (placebo). Ten of the 20 subjects also ingested a placebo load with vitamins.. Lipid, coagulation, glucose, and circulating adhesion molecule parameters, blood pressure, and endothelial functions as assessed by hemodynamic and rheologic responses to L-arginine, evaluated at baseline and 4 hours following ingestion of the loads.. The oral methionine load increased mean (SD) plasma homocysteine level from 10.5 (3.8) micromol/L at baseline to 27.1 (6.7) micromol/L at 4 hours (P<.001). A similar increase was observed with the same load plus vitamins (10.0 [4.0] to 22.7 [7.8] micromol/L; P<.001) but no significant increase was observed with placebo (10.1 [3.7] to 10.4 [3.2] micromol/L; P=.75). Coagulation and circulating adhesion molecule levels significantly increased after methionine ingestion alone (P<.05) but not after placebo or methionine ingestion with vitamins. While the mean (SD) blood pressure (-7.0% [2.7%]; P<.001), platelet aggregation response to adenosine diphosphate (-11.4% [4.5%]; P=.009) and blood viscosity (-3.0% [1.2%]; P=.04) declined in these parameters 10 minutes after an L-arginine load (3 g) following placebo, the increase after methionine alone (-2.3% [1.5%], 4.0% [3.0%], and 1.5% [1.0%], respectively; P<.05), did not occur following methionine load with vitamin pretreatment (-6.3% [2.5%], -7.9% [3.5%], and -1.5% [1.0%], respectively; P=.24).. Our data suggest that mild to moderate elevations of plasma homocysteine levels in healthy subjects activate coagulation, modify the adhesive properties of endothelium, and impair the vascular responses to L-arginine. Pretreatment with antioxidant vitamin E and ascorbic acid blocks the effects of hyperhomocysteinemia, suggesting an oxidative mechanism.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Antioxidants; Arginine; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Coagulation; Blood Viscosity; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cross-Over Studies; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Hemodynamics; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Methionine; Platelet Aggregation; Risk Factors; Single-Blind Method; Vitamin E

To investigate the effect of additional oral vitamins C and E on acute anterior uveitis.. A placebo controlled double masked study on the effect of vitamin C 500 mg in combination with vitamin E 100 mg twice daily in 145 patients with acute anterior uveitis. As a primary end point variable, laser cell/flare measurements were performed. Best corrected and stenopeic visual acuity (VA) testing and clinical variable scores were measured.. Laser flare measurements (ph/s) before treatment were 207.1 (SD 258) in the vitamin group and 143.6 (156) in the placebo group. After 3 days corresponding values were 80.2 (129) and 54.7 (82), after 7 days 89.2 (187) (12.5) and 85.8 (208), after 14 days 47.1 (109.5) and 40.5 (116) after 28 days 23.1 (53.6) and 23.1 (48), and after 56 days 15.6 (26) and 15.3 (17). There was no significant difference in time trend between the two treatment groups (RMANOVA; p = 0.53). Baseline VA (logMAR) was 0.106 (0.241) in the vitamin group and 0.128 (0.456) in the placebo group. VA after 3 days was 0. 236 (0.293) and 0.344 ( 0.489), after 7 days 0.204 (0.292) and 0.292 (0.479), after 14 days 0.162 (0.274) and 0.193 (0.454), after 28 days 0.096 (0.232) and 0.158 (0.436), and 0.026 (0.213) and 0.106 (0. 437) after 56 days. Although no significant difference in time trend was detected, evaluation of the VA data of the last time point (56 days) by means of the Mann-Whitney test showed a significantly better VA in the vitamin group (p = 0.01).. There was no significant effect of vitamins C and E on laser flare measurements. The significant effect of the oral vitamins on visual acuity at 8 weeks after start of the oral vitamins C and E may indicate a protective effect in patients with acute anterior uveitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Ascorbic Acid; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Uveitis, Anterior; Visual Acuity; Vitamin E

A randomised double-blind trial involving vitamin C/placebo supplementation was conducted on 57 elderly patients admitted to hospital with acute respiratory infections (bronchitis and bronchopneumonia). Patients were assessed clinically and biochemically on admission and again at 2 and 4 weeks after admission having received either 200 mg vitamin C per day, or placebo. This relatively modest oral dose led to a significant increase in plasma and white cell vitamin C concentration even in the presence of acute respiratory infection. Using a clinical scoring system based on major symptoms of the respiratory condition, patients supplemented with the vitamin fared significantly better than those on placebo. This was particularly the case for those commencing the trial most severely ill, many of whom had very low plasma and white cell vitamin C concentrations on admission. Various mechanisms by which vitamin C could assist this type of patient are discussed.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Bronchitis; Bronchopneumonia; Double-Blind Method; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Placebos

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Drug Therapy, Combination; Glutathione Peroxidase; Glutathione Reductase; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Malondialdehyde; Middle Aged; Nucleic Acids; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal; Vitamin E

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Infections

Forty patients with past history myocardial infarction were divided into three groups. Group I served as controls, while Groups II and III were given respectively, 1 g and 2 g vitamin C daily, divided in two doses. Samples were collected initially, and then every 2 months during the 6-month period of vitamin C administration and finally 2 months after stopping vitamin C. Vitamin C, 0.5 g twice daily (Group II), increased serum ascorbic acid by about 22% (P less than 0.05). However, no significant changes were observed in fibrinolytic activity or blood lipids. When the dose of vitamin C was doubled, serum ascorbic acid increased by about 96% and fibrinolytic activity increased by 45% (P less than 0.01), while the platelet adhesive index decreased by 27% (P less than 0.01). The serum cholesterol level dropped by 12% (P less than 0.05) and a significant decrease in serum beta lipoproteins and an increase in the alpha fraction was also seen. A further 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction were divided into two groups; one received 2 g vitamin C daily for the first 20 days and the other received a placebo. Blood samples were collected every 10th day during the 40-day follow up. Vitamin C administration increased fibrinolytic activity by 62.5%, while serum ascorbic acid rose by 94%.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Arteriosclerosis; Ascorbic Acid; Coronary Disease; Fibrinolysis; Humans; Lipids; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction; Platelet Adhesiveness; Time Factors

To evaluate earlier observations, including our own, showing usefulness of vitamin C for managing the common cold, we performed a double-blind trial of vitamin C versus placebo in 868 children. There was no difference in number becoming ill (133 versus 129), number of episodes (166 versus 159) or mean illness duration (5.5 versus 5.8 days) between the groups. Children receiving vitamin C had fewer throat cultures yielding beta-hemolytic streptococcus (six versus 13, P less than 0.10), but no difference in overall complicated illness rate (24 versus 25). Plasma ascorbic acid levels were higher in the vitamin group 24 to 26 hours after supplementation (1.28 versus 1.04 mg per 100 ml, P less than 0.01). Children with high plasma ascorbic acid concentrations had longer mean illness (6.8 versus 4.0 days, P less than 0.05) than those with low levels. Vitamin C does not seem to be an effective prophylactic or therapeutic agent for upper respiratory illness.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Age Factors; Arizona; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Common Cold; Female; Humans; Indians, North American; Male; Otitis Media; Placebos; Respiratory Tract Infections; Time Factors

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Age Factors; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Nicotinic Acids; Phenethylamines; Recurrence; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia, Childhood; Tranquilizing Agents

Human foodborne infections with the zoonotic pathogen Campylobacter jejuni are on the rise and constitute a significant socioeconomic burden worldwide. The health-beneficial, particularly anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin C (ascorbate) are well known. In our preclinical intervention study, we assessed potential anti-pathogenic and immunomodulatory effects of ascorbate in C. jejuni-infected secondary abiotic IL-10

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Apoptosis; Ascorbic Acid; Campylobacter Infections; Campylobacter jejuni; Colon; Enterocolitis; Inflammation; Inflammation Mediators; Interleukin-10; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Treatment Outcome

To observe the changes of renal function in critically ill patients using vancomycin and analyze the renal protective effect of high dose vitamin C (VC) on vancomycin nephrotoxicity.. Retrospective analysis was carried out to enroll the patients who were hospitalized in emergency intensive care unit (ICU) of Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2012 to October 2019. All patients were administered with vancomycin or VC infusion in addition. According to the infusion of vancomycin alone or in combination with VC, the patients were divided into vancomycin group and vancomycin in combination with VC group; vancomycin group was further divided into two groups according to before vancomycin or after vancomycin usage; combination group were further divided into two groups according to before VC use or after VC. The initial dosage of vancomycin was calculated according to the actual weight of the patient and adjusted according to the renal function. The dosage of VC was determined according to the disease severity of the patient, and the dosage range was 50-200 mg×kg. The incidence of drug-induced renal injury caused by vancomycin is high. Intravenous high dose VC can significantly reduce the nephrotoxicity of vancomycin and shorten the length of hospital stay. When vancomycin is used in critically ill patients, VC can be used in combination to reduce or avoid drug-induced renal injury, improve curative effect and reduce toxic effects.

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; China; Critical Illness; Humans; Neurotoxicity Syndromes; Pancreatitis; Retrospective Studies; Vancomycin

Oxalate kidney injury can manifest as oxalate nephropathy or nephrolithiasis and present as acute kidney injury or even as end-stage renal disease. There are several known causes for acute oxalate nephropathy; however, the combination of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency with overconsumption of vitamin C has not been described before. In this case, a man in his early 80s presented with anorexia and extreme fatigue for 1 week. He had a history of myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, for which he took several supplements, including high doses of vitamin C. Furthermore, several years ago, he was diagnosed elsewhere with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. On admission, acute kidney injury was diagnosed. The kidney biopsy showed oxalate nephropathy as the cause. We diagnosed acute oxalate nephropathy due to high vitamin C doses and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Within 14 days, his kidney function got worse and he required renal replacement therapy.

Topics: Acute Disease; Acute Kidney Injury; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency; Humans; Hyperoxaluria; Kidney; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Male; Oxalates; Renal Replacement Therapy

Human leukocyte antigen-B27 (HLA-B27)-positive acute anterior uveitis (AAU) has a higher recurrence rate and shows more anterior chamber cell infiltration compared with HLA-B27-negative patients, suggesting distinct etiologies of these clinically overlapping conditions. To advance our understanding of the biology of AAU, we characterized the metabolic profile of aqueous humor (AqH) of patients with HLA-B27-associated AAU (B27-AAU) and noninfectious idiopathic AAU (idiopathic AAU).. Experimental laboratory study.. AqH samples from 2 independent cohorts totaling 30 patients with B27-AAU, 16 patients with idiopathic AAU, and 20 patients with cataracts underwent 2 individual rounds of direct infusion mass spectrometry. Features predicted by direct infusion mass spectrometry that facilitated maximum separation between the disease groups in regression models were validated by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry-based quantification with appropriate standards.. Partial least square-discriminant analysis revealed metabolite profiles that were able to separate patients with B27-AAU from those with iodiopathic AAU. Pathway enrichment analysis, based on metabolites on which separation of the groups in the partial least square-discriminant analysis model was based, demonstrated the involvement of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and glycolysis-diverting pathways (eg, serine biosynthesis) across all investigated cohorts. Notably, the metabolite ketoleucine was elevated in B27-AAU across all 3 runs and moderately-but robustly-correlated with anterior chamber cell count (correlation coefficient range 0.41-0.81).. These results illustrate metabolic heterogeneity between HLA-B27-positive and HLA-B27-negative AAU, including an increase of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis, that reflects disease activity in AAU.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; Aqueous Humor; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; Chromatography, Liquid; Citric Acid Cycle; Female; HLA-B27 Antigen; Humans; Keto Acids; Male; Middle Aged; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Uveitis, Anterior

In recent years, systemic hypothermia has taken the spotlight for its use in spinal cord injury (SCI) research fields, but detailed molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. In this study, we use an online-electrochemical system (OECS) to in vivo continuously monitor the ascorbate of the rats' spinal cord. We find that the basal level of ascorbate in rat spinal cord is 1.85 ± 0.88 μmol L

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Extracellular Space; Hypothermia, Induced; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Injuries

As a promising therapeutic treatment, ischemic postconditioning has recently received considerable attention. Although the neuroprotection effect of postconditioning has been observed, a reliable approach that can evaluate the neuroprotective efficiency of postconditioning treatment during the acute period after ischemia remains to be developed. This study investigates the dynamics of cortex ascorbic acid during the acute period of cerebral ischemia before and after ischemic postconditioning with an online electrochemical system (OECS). The cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and the neuronal functional outcome are evaluated with triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, immunohistochemistry, and electrophysiological recording techniques. Electrochemical recording results show that cortex ascorbic acid sharply increases 10 min after middle cerebral artery occlusion and then reaches a plateau. After direct reperfusion following ischemia (i.e., without ischemic postconditioning), the cortex ascorbic acid further increases and then starts to decrease slowly at a time point of about 40 min after reperfusion. In striking contrast, the cortex ascorbic acid drops and recovers to its basal level after ischemic postconditioning followed by reperfusion. With the recovery of cortex ascorbic acid, ischemic postconditioning concomitantly promotes the recovery of neural function and reduces the oxidative damage. These results demonstrate that our OECS for monitoring cortex ascorbic acid can be used as a platform for evaluating the neuroprotective efficiency of ischemic postconditioning in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia, which is of great importance for screening proper postconditioning parameters for preventing ischemic damages.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Brain Ischemia; Cerebral Cortex; Disease Models, Animal; Electrophysiological Phenomena; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; Ischemic Postconditioning; Male; Monitoring, Physiologic; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reperfusion Injury; Stroke

Methaemoglobin is a form of haemoglobin in which the ferrous (Fe

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Anemia, Hemolytic; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Transfusion; Diagnosis, Differential; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency; Humans; Male; Methemoglobinemia; Nepal; Severity of Illness Index

Trypanosoma cruzi infection stimulates inflammatory mediators which cause oxidative stress, and the use of antioxidants can minimize the sequelae of Chagas disease. In order to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin C in minimizing oxidative damage in Chagas disease, we orally administered ascorbic acid to Swiss mice infected with 5.0 × 10

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Bilirubin; Chagas Disease; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Inflammation; Iron; Male; Mice; Nitric Oxide; Oxidative Stress; Parasitemia; Peroxynitrous Acid; Trypanosoma cruzi

A 40-years-old female patient was referred to the cornea clinic as a probable case of bilateral keratitis. The patient had a history of headache followed by acute onset of redness, pain and discharge from both eyes for 15 days. The patient was diagnosed as bilateral keratitis by the first contact physician and was started on topical antibiotics, cycloplegics and lubricating eye-drops. At presentation, both eyes had visual acuity of perception of light, conjunctival congestion, limbal blanching, diffuse corneal oedema and epithelial defect. A detailed history revealed application of Vicks VapoRub [topical ayurvedic analgesic which contains (per 100 g of product) menthol (2.82 g), camphor (5.25 g) and eucalyptol (1.49 mL) and excipients include thymol (0.1 g), turpentine oil (5.57 mL), nutmeg oil (0.54 mL), cedar wood oil and petrolatum)] on the forehead and eyelids for headache several times over 2-3 days before the onset. The patient further confirmed the accidental application of the ointment in the eyes. A provisional diagnosis of acute chemical injury with Vicks VapoRub was made and treatment with topical antibiotic, cycloplegic, steroid, lubricant and vitamin C was started. On follow-up, both eyes showed gradual resolution of corneal oedema and epithelial defect. Visual acuity improved in the left eye to 6/60 with no change in right eye due to corneal haze.

Topics: Acute Disease; Administration, Topical; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Burns, Chemical; Corneal Edema; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Headache; Humans; Keratitis; Lubricant Eye Drops; Medicine, Ayurvedic; Mydriatics; Steroids; Treatment Outcome; Visual Acuity

The occurrence of hyperglycemia in non-diabetics during development of acute coronary ischemia (ACI) indicates latent glucose metabolism disorder, or is a case of newly discovered diabetes mellitus (DM) as a result of stress. Acute coronary syndrome refers to a group of clinical syndromes caused by a sudden circulatory disorder in coronary arteries, resulting in the corresponding myocardial ischemia. It covers range from unstable angina and myocardial infarction (MI) without Q wave in the electrocardiogram finding (NSTEMI) up to myocardial infarction with Q wave in the electrocardiogram finding (STEMI).. To determine the incidence of hyperglycemia in non-diabetics immediately after the occurrence of acute coronary ischemia and assess its risk factors.. The sample included 80 respondents. Men dominated with a total prevalence of 77.5%. The respondent was at mean age of 62.8±13.8 years. During the first measurement, immediately after hospital admission, 50% of respondents had increased blood glucose value and during the second measurement 62%. Hypertension as a risk factor has 54% and 56% smoking. The incidence of stress diabetes after ACI does not depend on the diagnosis of hypertension, χ(2)=0.050; p=0.823. The differences of mean values (median) BMI between examined persons with/without stress DM are not statistically significant p=0.402. Independent t-test showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the average values of HDL and LDL in patients with stress diabetes than in patients without diabetes stress after ACI p>0.05. For each year of age odds ratio for "stress diabetes" increases by 7% and 95% CI is 2% -12%.. The incidence of stress diabetes ACI is not dependent on the working diagnosis (MI or angina pectoris). As risk factors we set hypertension and current smoking. There were no statistically significant associations between active smoking and hypertension as a risk factor in relation to occurrence of stress diabetes.

Topics: Acute Disease; Age Factors; Ascorbic Acid; Cholecalciferol; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Hypoglycemia; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Ischemia; Nicotinic Acids; Plant Extracts; Risk Factors; Sex Factors

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Erythrocytes; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency; Hemolysis; Humans; Infant; Male; Tachycardia

To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin C in reducing the consequences generated by the production of free radicals in the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease, two different doses of ascorbic acid were administered orally to 60 mice infected by Trypanosoma cruzi QM2 strain.. The animals were divided into six groups: G1, G2, and G3 for the acute phase study, and G'1, G'2, and G'3 for the chronic stage. The groups G1 and G'1 received 8.6 x 10⁻⁴ mg/g of vitamin C daily, whereas G2 and G'2 received 7.14 x 10⁻³ mg/g daily. The other groups, G3 and G'3, were considered placebos and received 10 µL of mineral water.. The study of the acute phase showed statistically significant differences between G1 and the other groups at various count days of the parasitemia evolution. The multiplying parasite was slower in G1 until the 11th day, but on the 22nd day it had greater parasitemia than in G2 and G3, and from the 36th day on, parasitemia stabilized at higher levels. However, when the histopathology of acute and chronic phases is considered, one does not note significant differences.. The administration of two different doses of vitamin C was not able to protect mice and to contain the oxidative stress caused by free radicals formed by the metabolism of oxygen (reactive oxygen species) and nitrogen (reactive nitrogen species).

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Chagas Disease; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Mice; Parasitemia

The tissue changes that occur in Chagas disease are related to the degree of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity of affected tissue. Studies with vitamin C supplementation did not develop oxidative damage caused by Chagas disease in the host, but other studies cite the use of peroxiredoxins ascorbate - dependent on T. cruzi to offer protection against immune reaction. Based on these propositions, thirty "Swiss" mice were infected with T. cruzi QM1 strain and treated with two different vitamin C doses in order to study the parasitemia evolution, histopathological changes and lipid peroxidation biomarkers during the acute phase of Chagas disease. The results showed that the parasite clearance was greater in animals fed with vitamin C overdose. There were no significant differences regarding the biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and inflammatory process or the increase of myocardium in animals treated with the recommended dosage. The largest amount of parasite growth towards the end of the acute phase suggests the benefit of high doses of vitamin C for trypomastigotes. The supplementation doesn't influence the production of free radicals or the number of amastigote nests in the acute phase of Chagas disease.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Chagas Disease; Dietary Supplements; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Mice; Parasitemia; Time Factors; Trypanosoma cruzi

In the current study we initially investigated the influence of antioxidants (vitamins E plus C) on the effect mediated by acute and chronic administration of methionine (Met) on Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in rat hippocampus. We also verified whether the alterations on the enzyme after administration of Met and/or antioxidants were associated with changes in relative expression of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase catalytic subunits (isoforms α1, α2 and α3). For acute treatment, young rats received a single subcutaneous injection of Met or saline (control) and were sacrificed 12 h later. In another set of experiments, rats were pretreated for 1 week with daily intraperitoneal administration of vitamins E (40 mg/kg) and C (100 mg/kg) or saline. After that, rats received a single injection of Met or saline and were killed 12 h later. For chronic treatment, Met was administered to rats from the 6th to the 28th day of life; controls and treated rats were sacrificed 12 h after the last injection. In parallel to chronic treatment, rats received a daily intraperitoneal injection of vitamins E and C from the 6th to the 28th day of life and were killed 12 h after the last injection. Results showed that administration of antioxidants partially prevented the inhibition of enzyme activity caused by acute and chronic hypermethioninemia. Besides, we demonstrated that transcription of catalytic subunits of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase was not altered by chronic and acute exposure to Met and/or vitamins E plus C. These data strongly suggest the oxidative damage as one possible mechanism involved in the reduction of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity caused by hypermethioninemia and if confirmed in human beings, we might propose the use of antioxidants as an adjuvant therapy in hypermethioninemic patients.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Chronic Disease; Hippocampus; Humans; Methionine; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; Vitamin E

Scurvy is a well-known disease of vitamin C deficiency that still occurs in industrialized countries. The clinical manifestations of follicular hyperkeratosis, perifollicular petechiae, corkscrew hairs, and easy bruising are due to defective collagen synthesis and can be mistaken for small vessel vasculitis. Populations at risk for development of scurvy include elderly patients, alcohol and drug users, individuals who follow restrictive diets or have eating disorders, patients with malabsorption, and individuals with mental illness. We report an acute case of scurvy presenting in the inpatient/hospital setting with clinical findings initially thought to represent vasculitis. A high index of suspicion for scurvy must be kept in the appropriate clinical context, and a thorough medical history and physical examination are vital to make the diagnosis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Scurvy; Vasculitis

To determine the oxidant - antioxidant imbalance in asthmatic children, by measuring the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidant marker of lipid peroxidation as well as antioxidant compounds like vitamin C, vitamin E and uric acid and to investigate whether their concentrations are associated with more severe asthma.. This case controlled prospective study was conducted on 219 children aged 1-12 years, attending Basra Maternity and Children Hospital. Included were 98 asthmatic children during acute attack and 121 nonasthmatic, apparently healthy children. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidant marker of lipid peroxidation, and vitamin C, vitamin E and uric acid (as antioxidants) were estimated in asthmatic children during acute attack and compared with non-asthmatic children.. Asthmatic children during exacerbation of their asthma have significant lower serum levels of antioxidant compounds like vitamin C, vitamin E and uric acid (p < 0.001) and significantly high malondialdehyde as compared with the controls. MDA was significantly elevated (P < 0.001), while that of vitamin C, vitamin E and uric acid were significantly decreased with increasing severity of asthmatic attack (P < 0.001). A significant negative correlation between MDA with vitamin C (P < 0.05, r = - 0.44) was observed in severe asthmatic attacks.. Asthmatic patients during acute attack suffer a high degree of reactive oxygen species formation causing considerable oxidative stress that is indicated by the high level of oxidants (MDA) and low level of antioxidants.

Topics: Acute Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Asthma; Biomarkers; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress; Prospective Studies; Reactive Oxygen Species; Uric Acid; Vitamin E

Three hundred and fifty children at the age of 3 months to 6 years under diverse social conditions were observed in dynamics for the periods of 1 to 3 years. The main tasks of the study were development of schemes and methods for prophylactic use of the Viferon ointment and estimation of its efficacy in acute viral respiratory tract infection. Season changes in the interferon genesis were revealed and no such dynamics in the children with frequent infections was shown. The ointment was applied according to the developed procedure intranasally in a daily dose of 1 g every day for the first 2 weeks and 3 times a week for the following 2-4 weeks. Interferon correctable and immunomodulating effects of the ointment were detected, the same as its favourable impact on the number of the acute respiratory tract infection cases including those under the conditions of the infant school adaptation. Its favourable effect was also observed in children with frequent infections during their immunorehabilitation. The most pronounced clinical and immunomodulating effects were revealed in young children.

Topics: Acute Disease; Antiviral Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Interferon alpha-2; Interferon-alpha; Male; Ointments; Recombinant Proteins; Respiratory Tract Infections; Retrospective Studies; Virus Diseases; Vitamin E

Secretory phospholipases A2 (sPLA2) have functions relevant to asthmatic inflammation, including eicosanoid synthesis and effects on dendritic cells and T cells. The aim of this study was to measure sPLA2 activity in patients with stable and acute asthma and to assess potential associations with body mass index (BMI), and plasma cholesterol and vitamin C concentrations.. Plasma sPLA2 activity and concentrations of cholesterol and vitamin C were measured in 23 control subjects and 61 subjects with stable asthma (42 mild to moderate, 19 severe). In addition, sPLA2 activity was measured in 36 patients experiencing acute asthma and in 22 of these patients after recovery from the acute attack.. sPLA2 activity was not significantly greater in severe (499.9 U; 95% confidence interval (CI) 439.4 to 560.4) compared with mild to moderate asthmatic subjects (464.8; 95% CI 425.3 to 504.3) or control subjects (445.7; 95% CI 392.1 to 499.4), although it was higher in patients with acute asthma (581.6; 95% CI 541.2 to 622.0; p<0.001). Male gender, high plasma cholesterol, increased BMI and atopy were associated with increased sPLA2 activity, while plasma vitamin C was inversely correlated with sPLA2 activity in patients with stable asthma and in control subjects. There were significant interactions between gender and plasma cholesterol and between gender and vitamin C in relation to sPLA2 activity.. Plasma sPLA2 may provide a biological link between asthma, inflammation, increased BMI, lipid metabolism and antioxidants. Interactions among these factors may be pertinent to the pathophysiology and increasing prevalence of both asthma and obesity.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Asthma; Body Mass Index; Cholesterol; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phospholipases A2, Secretory

The prognosis of acute pancreatitis (AP) depends upon the degree of pancreatic necrosis and the intensity of multisystem organ failure. The liver contributes to the systemic manifestations of AP by releasing some cytokines. This study was undertaken to examine comparative effects of melatonin, antioxidant mixture containing L(+)-ascorbic acid and N-acetyl cysteine, pentoxifylline and L-arginine on hepatic damage induced by caerulein-pancreatitis.. The liver specimens of all groups showed histopathological alterations such as hepatocyte necrosis, intracellular vacuolization, vascular congestion, sinusoidal dilatation and inflammatory infiltration. TEM studies revealed vacuole formation, mitochondrial degeneration, lysosome accumulation and necrosis. The mean histopathological score of the caerulein group was significantly different from that of each treatment group.. L-Arginine and antioxidant administration be important for reducing hepatic damage induced by AP. Improvement of hepatic damage, in turn, might be beneficial for the prognosis of AP.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Acute Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Arginine; Ascorbic Acid; Ceruletide; Female; Liver Diseases; Melatonin; Pancreatitis; Pentoxifylline; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Statistics, Nonparametric

To investigate the role of oxidative injury in pancreatitis-induced hepatic damage and the effect of antioxidant agents such as melatonin, ascorbic acid and N-acetyl cysteine on caerulein-induced pancreatitis and associated liver injury in rats.. Thirty-eight female Wistar rats were used. Acute pancreatitis (AP) was induced by two i.p. injections of caerulein at 2-h intervals (at a total dose of 100 microg/kg b.wt). The other two groups received additional melatonin (20 mg/kg b.wt) or an antioxidant mixture containing L(+)-ascorbic acid (14.3 mg/kb.wt.) and N-acetyl cysteine (181 mg/kg b.wt.) i.p. shortly before each injection of caerulein. The rats were sacrificed by decapitation 12 h after the last injection of caerulein. Pancreatic and hepatic oxidative stress markers were evaluated by changes in the amount of lipid peroxides measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) and changes in tissue antioxidant enzyme levels, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Histopathological examination was performed using scoring systems.. The degree of hepatic cell degeneration, intracellular vacuolization, vascular congestion, sinusoidal dilatation and inflammatory infiltration showed a significant difference between caerulein and caerulein + melatonin (P = 0.001), and careulein and caerulein + L(+)-ascorbic acid + N-acetyl cysteine groups (P = 0.002). The degree of aciner cell degeneration, pancreatic edema, intracellular vacuolization and inflammatory infiltration showed a significant difference between caerulein and caerulein + melatonin (P = 0.004), and careulein and caerulein + L(+)-ascorbic acid + N-acetyl cysteine groups (P = 0.002). Caerulein-induced pancreatic and liver damage was accompanied with a significant increase in tissue MDA levels (P = 0.01, P = 0.003, respectively) whereas a significant decrease in CAT (P = 0.002, P = 0.003, respectively) and GPx activities (P = 0.002, P = 0.03, respectively). Melatonin and L(+)-ascorbic acid+N-acetyl cysteine administration significantly decreased MDA levels in pancreas (P=0.03, P=0.002, respectively) and liver (P = 0.007, P = 0.01, respectively). Administration of these agents increased pancreatic and hepatic CAT and GPx activities. Melatonin significantly increased pancreatic and hepatic CAT (P = 0.002, P = 0.001, respectively) and GPx activities (P = 0.002, P = 0.001). Additionally, L(+)-ascorbic acid + N-acetyl cysteine significantly increased pancreatic GPx (P = 0.002) and hepatic CAT and GPx activities (P = 0.001, P = 0.007, respectively).. Oxidative injury plays an important role not only in the pathogenesis of AP but also in pancreatitis-induced hepatic damage. Antioxidant agents such as melatonin and ascorbic acid + N-acetyl cysteine, are capable of limiting pancreatic and hepatic damage produced during AP via restoring tissue antioxidant enzyme activities.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Acute Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Ceruletide; Female; Lipid Peroxidation; Liver; Melatonin; Pancreatitis; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reactive Oxygen Species

The aim of this study was to establish the main determinants of plasma antioxidant potential in different types of human pancreatitis: chronic pancreatitis (CP, n = 19), chronic pancreatitis exacerbated (CPE, n = 16), and acute pancreatitis (AP, n = 8).. We measured the plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total peroxyl radical trapping potential (TRAP), and the levels of antioxidants such as uric acid (UA), SH groups (SH), ascorbic acid (AA), and bilirubin (BIL).. In comparison to healthy volunteers (HV, n = 22) the average levels of TBARS in all types of pancreatitis were significantly higher (by 50%-90%), and plasma SH groups were lower (approximately 30%). In the multivariate regression models, the variability of plasma TRAP was explained in the HV group through UA only (36%), in the CP group through UA, AA, and BIL together (75%), and in CPE group through UA and AA together (81%). Plasma SH concentration did not enter the regression models in all groups. The AP group revealed "paradoxically" high concentrations of AA and TRAP and a negative, linear correlation between the level of TRAP versus UA concentration (R = -0.87).. The multivariate regression analysis points to different structures of antioxidant defense in healthy people and those with pancreatitis: they were much the same in the CP and CPE groups but fundamentally different in the AP group. AP may activate unidentified antioxidant defenses as an adaptive response against oxidative stress.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Bilirubin; Chronic Disease; Humans; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Oxidative Stress; Pancreatitis; Reference Values; Regression Analysis; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Uric Acid

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant/oxidant status of serum and cerebrospinal fluid in children with meningismus and acute bacterial meningitis. Twenty-three children (age range, 0.75 to 9 years) with fever and meningeal signs that required analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid, but no cytologic or biochemical evidence of meningitis in their serum and cerebrospinal fluid, constituted the meningismus group. Thirty-one children (age range, 0.5 to 10 years) with acute bacterial meningitis constituted the meningitis group. Twenty-nine healthy children (age range, 0.5 to 11 years) were recruited as control subjects. Antioxidant status (ascorbic acid, albumin, thiol, uric acid, total bilirubin, total antioxidant capacity, catalase and ceruloplasmin concentrations) and oxidant status (lipid hydroperoxide and total oxidant status) were measured. The serum antioxidant status was lower, and oxidant status levels higher in both meningitis and meningismus subjects than in the control children (P < 0.001). Cerebrospinal fluid oxidant status was lower in the meningitis group than in the meningismus group (P < 0.05). These results indicate that serum antioxidant status was lower, and serum oxidant status was higher in children in the meningismus and meningitis groups, whereas cerebrospinal fluid oxidant status was higher in the meningismus group than in the meningitis group.

Topics: Acute Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Bilirubin; Catalase; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Glutathione Peroxidase; Humans; Infant; Lipid Peroxides; Male; Malondialdehyde; Meningism; Meningitis, Bacterial; Oxidants; Oxidative Stress; Serum Albumin; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Superoxide Dismutase; Uric Acid

The 22 supersetnd Hohenheim Consensus Workshop took place in at the University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim. The subject of this conference was vitamin C and its role in the treatment of endothelial dysfunction. Scientists, who had published and reviewed scientific and regulatory papers on that topic were invited, among them basic researchers, toxicologists, clinicians and nutritionists. The participants were presented with eleven questions, which were discussed and answered at the workshop, with the aim of summarising the current state of knowledge. The explicatory text accompanying the short answers was produced and agreed on after the conference and was backed up by corresponding references. The therapeutic relevance of administration of the physiological antioxidant vitamin C in high parenteral doses in Endothelial Dependent Pathophysiological Conditions (EDPC) was discussed. Endothelial dysfunction is defined as including disturbed endothelial dependant relaxation of resistance vessels, breakdown of the microvascular endothelial barrier and/or loss of anti-adhesive function. It occurs in severe burn injury, intoxications, acute hyperglycemia, sepsis, trauma, and ischemic-reperfusion tissue injury and is induced by oxidative stress. Reduced plasma ascorbate levels are a hallmark of oxidative stress and occur in severe burns, sepsis, severe trauma, intoxication, chemotherapy/radiotherapy and organ transplantation. Vitamin C directly enhances the activity of nitric oxide synthase, the acyl CoA oxidase system and inhibits the actions of proinflammatory lipids. There is experimental evidence that parenteral high-dose vitamin C restores endothelial function in sepsis. In vitro, supraphysiological concentrations (> 1mM) of ascorbate restore nitric oxide bioavailability and endothelial function. Only parenterally, can enough vitamin C be administered to combat oxidative stress. There is no evidence that parenteral vitamin C exerts prooxidant effects in humans. Theoretical concerns in relation to competitive interactions between vitamin C and glucose cellular uptake are probably only relevant for oxidised vitamin C (dehydroascorbate).

Topics: Acute Disease; Acyl-CoA Oxidase; Ascorbic Acid; Burns; Endothelium, Vascular; Glucose; Heart Failure; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Infusions, Parenteral; Myocardial Ischemia; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; Oxidative Stress; Poisoning; Reperfusion Injury; Sepsis

To assess the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency within a group of hospice patients. To assess the relationship between plasma vitamin C, dietary intake and subsequent survival.. Patients with advanced cancer were recruited from a large hospice. Data were collected on demographic details, physical functioning and smoking history. An estimate was obtained of the number of weekly dietary portions consumed equivalent to 40 mg of vitamin C, the recommended daily intake. Plasma vitamin C was measured by a single blood sample. The study had local ethical approval.. Fifty patients were recruited (mean age 65.2 years, 28 female). Plasma vitamin C deficiency was found in 15 (30%). Dietary intake of vitamin C was correlated to plasma vitamin C (r=0.518, P<0.0001). Low dietary intake, low albumin, high platelet count, high CRP level and shorter survival were all significantly associated with low plasma vitamin C concentrations (<11 micromol/L). There was no correlation between plasma vitamin C, smoking history or physical functioning.. Vitamin C deficiency is common in patients with advanced cancer and the most important factors determining plasma levels are dietary intake and markers of the inflammatory response. Patients with low plasma concentrations of vitamin C have a shorter survival.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Diet; England; Female; Hospice Care; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Nutritional Status; Prevalence; Serum Albumin

Oxidative stress mediates acinar injury in experimental acute pancreatitis (AP) and antioxidants are depleted in human AP. This study tests the hypothesis that exogenous antioxidant supplementation ameliorates experimental AP.. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 groups (n = 5/group) and sacrificed at 72 h. AP was induced by 250 mg per 100 g body weight of 20% L-arginine hydrochloride in 0.15 mol/l sodium chloride. Group allocations were: group 1 (control) no intervention; group 2 AP; group 3 early multiple antioxidant (MAOX) intervention comprising 15 microg/kg selenium, 30 microg/kg ascorbate and 300 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine given at 6 and 30 h and group 4 the MAOX combination above given at 24 and 48 h. Endpoints were: serum amylase, antioxidant levels, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) protein and lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and histological assessment of pancreatic injury.. L-arginine induced AP characterised by oedema, neutrophil infiltration, acinar cell degranulation and elevated serum amylase. Early MAOX reduced pulmonary MPO and BAL protein and reduced acinar swelling, degranulation and pancreatic parenchymal infiltration by inflammatory cells. These features were absent when intervention was delayed.. In this model, early but not late antioxidant intervention ameliorates pancreatic and pulmonary injury.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Acute Disease; Amylases; Animals; Antioxidants; Arginine; Ascorbic Acid; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Therapy, Combination; Injections, Intravenous; Lung; Male; Pancreas; Pancreatitis; Peroxidase; Proteins; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Selenium; Time Factors

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can modulate renal hemodynamics and function both directly, by leading to vasoconstriction, and indirectly, by inducing renal inflammation and tissue growth. The involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of renovascular disease (RVD) is increasingly recognized, but the relative contribution of long-term tissue injury to renal dysfunction remains unclear. We hypothesized that functional and structural alterations elicited by oxidative stress in RVD would be more effectively modulated by chronic than by acute antioxidant intervention. Renal hemodynamics and function were quantified in vivo in pigs using electron-beam computed tomography at baseline and after vasoactive challenge (ACh and sodium nitroprusside); after 12 wk of RVD (simulated by concurrent hypercholesterolemia and renal artery stenosis, n = 7); RVD acutely infused with the SOD-mimetic tempol (RVD+tempol, n = 7); RVD chronically supplemented with antioxidant vitamins C (1 g) and E (100 IU/kg; RVD+vitamins, n = 7); or control (normal, n = 7). Renal tissue was studied ex vivo using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Basal renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate were similarly decreased in all RVD groups. ACh-stimulated RBF remained unchanged in RVD, increased in RVD+tempol, but further increased (similarly to normal) in RVD+vitamins (P < 0.05 vs. RVD). Furthermore, RVD+vitamins also showed a decreased presence of superoxide anion, decreased NAD(P)H-oxidase and nitrotyrosine expression, increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, and attenuated renal fibrosis. Chronic antioxidant intervention in early RVD improved renal hemodynamic responses more effectively than acute intervention, likely due to increased nitric oxide bioavailability and decreased structural injury. These suggest that chronic tissue changes play an important role in renal compromise mediated by oxidative stress in RVD.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Acute Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Blotting, Western; Chronic Disease; Cyclic N-Oxides; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Hypertension, Renovascular; In Vitro Techniques; Kidney Function Tests; Kidney Tubules; Nitroprusside; Oxidative Stress; Renal Artery Obstruction; Renal Circulation; Spin Labels; Superoxide Dismutase; Swine; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vasodilator Agents; Vitamin E

Fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with low CHD risk in the USA and Northern Europe. There is, in contrast, little information about these associations in other regions of Europe. The goal of the present study was to assess the relationship between frequency of fruit and vegetable intake and CHD risk in two European populations with contrasting cardiovascular incidence rates; France and Northern Ireland. The present prospective study was in men aged 50-59 years, free of CHD, who were recruited in France (n 5982) and Northern Ireland (n 2105). Fruit and vegetable intake was assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire. Incident cases of acute coronary events and angina were recorded over a 5-year follow-up. During follow-up there was a total of 249 ischaemic events. After adjustment on education level, smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, employment status, BMI, blood pressure, serum total and HDL-cholesterol, the relative risks (RR) of acute coronary events were 0.67 (95% CI 0.44, 1.03) and 0.64 (95% CI 0.41, 0.99) in the 2nd and 3rd tertiles of citrus fruit consumption, respectively (P for trend <0.03). Similar results were observed in France and Northern Ireland. In contrast, the RR of acute coronary events for 'other fruit' consumption were 0.70 (95% CI 0.31, 1.56) and 0.52 (95% CI 0.24, 1.14) respectively in Northern Ireland (trend P<0.05) and 1.29 (95% CI 0.69, 2.4) and 1.15 (95% CI 0.68, 1.94) in France (trend P=0.5; interaction P<0.04). There was no evidence for any association between vegetable intake and total CHD events. In conclusion, frequency of citrus fruit, but not other fruits, intake is associated with lower rates of acute coronary events in both France and Northern Ireland, suggesting that geographical or related factors might affect the relationship between fruit consumption and CHD risk.

Topics: Acute Disease; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Citrus; Coronary Disease; Cryptoxanthins; Diet; Eating; France; Fruit; Humans; Incidence; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Northern Ireland; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Vegetables; Xanthophylls

Falciparum malaria infection is associated with significant destruction of erythrocytes. This leads to the release of toxic metabolic products, including oxidant compounds. We measured the serum concentration of the antioxidant, ascorbic acid, in 129 patients presenting with acute falciparum malaria infection and in 65 healthy individuals. None of the study subjects administered any form of ascorbic acid supplementation within one week prior to participation in this study. The mean serum ascorbate concentration in infected adult males (n = 49, age range 18-50 years) was found to be 2.02 +/- 0.20 mg/dL, and it was 2.03 +/- 0.24 mg/dL in infected adult females (n = 56, age range 18-50 years). These values were significantly greater than the serum ascorbate levels (1.54 +/- 0.10 mg/dL) in healthy adult males (n = 28) and females (n = 28) (p < 0.05). In children (age range 3 to 5 years), the serum ascorbate concentration was significantly lower (1.95 +/- 0.20 mg/dL) during infection (n = 25) than in their healthy counterparts (2.9 +/- 0.24 mg/dL, n = 9) (p < 0.05). It is evident therefore that ascorbic acid plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of acute falciparum malaria in adults. Infected children also need to be given supplemental doses of ascorbate in view of the weakness of their immune system.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Analysis of Variance; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Case-Control Studies; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum; Male; Middle Aged

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Antigens, CD; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Arsenic Trioxide; Arsenicals; Ascorbic Acid; Burkitt Lymphoma; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Leukemia, Lymphoid; Oxides; Salvage Therapy; Treatment Outcome

Ascorbic acid and L-histidine were investigated as antioxidant therapies for acute mammary inflammation. Mastitis was induced in eight nonpregnant Holstein cows by intramammary infusion of endotoxin. Treatments were administered in a 4 x 4 Latin square crossover design with 1-wk periods between challenges with endotoxin. Four individual treatments, control, ascorbic acid only, L-histidine only, and ascorbic acid plus L-histidine, were applied. Two doses of 25 g of ascorbic acid administered intravenously at 3- and 5-h postendotoxin challenge increased milk production recovery (9% higher, P < 0.02) and tended to reduce the extent of rumen stasis. Two doses of 25 g of L-histidine similarly administered decreased plasma antioxidant activities 5.5% (P < 0.05). However, ascorbic acid and L-histidine had no effects on rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and dry matter intake. The data suggested that ascorbic acid provided some potential benefit for recovery from acute mammary inflammation in dairy cattle.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Body Temperature; Cattle; Cross-Over Studies; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endotoxins; Female; Histidine; Lactation; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Few studies have focused on the loss of endogenous antioxidants and molecular oxidative damage. Two acute pancreatitis models in rats; taurocholate (3% intraductal infusion) and cerulein (10 microg/kg/h), were used to study markers of oxidative stress: Glutathione, ascorbic acid, and their oxidized forms (glutathione disulfide and dehydroascorbic acid), malondialdehyde, and 4-hydroxynoneal in plasma and pancreas, as well as 7-hydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine in pancreas. In both models, pancreatic glutathione depleted by 36-46% and pancreatic ascorbic acid depleted by 36-40% (p <.05). In the taurocholate model, plasma glutathione was depleted by 34% (p <.05), but there were no significant changes in plasma ascorbic acid or in plasma and pancreas dehydroascorbic acid, malondialdehyde, and 4-hydroxynoneal, and no significant changes in the pancreas glutathione disulfide/glutathione ratio. While pancreas glutathione disulfide/glutathione ratio increased in the cerulein model, there were no significant changes in plasma glutathione, plasma, or pancreas ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, 4-hydroxynoneal, and malondialdehyde, or in pancreas 7-hydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine. Reactive oxygen species have a minor role in the intermediate stages of pancreatitis models.

Topics: 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; Acute Disease; Aldehydes; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; Ceruletide; Dehydroascorbic Acid; Deoxyguanosine; Glutathione; Glutathione Disulfide; Male; Malondialdehyde; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Pancreatitis; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reactive Oxygen Species; Taurocholic Acid

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) induces remission in a high proportion of patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) via induction of apoptosis. Preliminary reports suggest that the apoptotic effect of As2O3 is not specific for APL but can also be observed in non-APL acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cells, although these are less sensitive than APL cells. Ascorbic acid has recently been demonstrated to enhance the apoptotic effect of As2O3. We have therefore evaluated combined As2O3/ascorbic acid treatment in various clinical samples of AML. Our results indicate a significant synergistic effect of As2O3 and ascorbic acid, suggesting a possible future role of As2O3/ascorbic acid combination therapy in patients with AML.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Arsenic Trioxide; Arsenicals; Ascorbic Acid; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Leukemia, Myeloid; Middle Aged; Oxides; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Topics: Acetaminophen; Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Codeine; Dextromethorphan; Drug Combinations; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multi-Ingredient Cold, Flu, and Allergy Medications; Nasal Decongestants; Nonprescription Drugs; Phenylpropanolamine; Promethazine; Pseudoephedrine

To establish an experimental model for sulfur mustard-induced acute and delayed ocular lesions in rabbits.. Rabbit eyes were exposed to sulfur mustard (HD) vapor (370, 420 microg/l) for a period of two minutes. A three months follow-up study was carried out, based on the evaluation of clinical, biochemical and histological parameters.. HD exposure initiated typical clinical symptoms within 2-6 hrs, characterized by eye closure, eyelid swelling, conjunctival hyperemia, corneal erosions and inflammation. The clinical signs were significantly dose-dependent and reached a peak at 24--72 hrs post exposure. Biochemical evaluation of the aqueous humor exhibited an inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress at 4 hrs after exposure, subsiding at 28 hrs after exposure. Histological examination of corneas at 48 hrs revealed epithelial denudation and marked stromal edema, accompanied by cellular infiltration. Epithelial regeneration started after 72 hrs, and recovery was almost completed within 1--2 weeks, depending on the HD dose. A second phase of pathological processes started as early as two weeks post exposure and was characterized by corneal edema, opacity, recurrent erosions and neovascularization. The delayed injuries were found in 25 and 40% of the eyes respectively, and when appearing, were more severe than the initial ones.. The development of HD-induced ocular lesions in rabbits is similar to the lesions described in human casualties. Quantitative analysis of the various clinical parameters emphasizes the contribution of each tissue to the overall toxic picture. Our experimental model is useful for studying the pathological mechanisms of HD-ocular lesions, and may serve for testing potential therapies.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cornea; Corneal Edema; Corneal Neovascularization; Corneal Opacity; Dermatologic Agents; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Eye Proteins; Female; Glutathione; Models, Animal; Mustard Gas; Rabbits; Time Factors

Ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is caused by endothelial and subendothelial damage by neutrophil-derived oxidants. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which attenuates endothelial injury after IRI. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of oral vitamin C in the prevention of IRI in skeletal muscle. We used a model of cross-clamping (3 hours) and reperfusion (1 hour) of the cremaster muscle in rats. Muscle function was assessed electrophysiologically by electrical field stimulation. Infiltration by neutrophils was determined by the activity of tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) and tissue oedema by the wet-to-dry ratio. Neutrophil respiratory burst activity was measured in control animals and groups pretreated with vitamin C. IRI significantly decreased muscle function and increased muscle neutrophil MPO activity and muscle oedema. Pretreatment with vitamin C preserved muscle function and reduced tissue oedema and neutrophil infiltration. Neutrophil respiratory burst activity was reduced in the group treated with vitamin C compared with the control group. We conclude that pretreatment with oral vitamin C protects against acute muscle IRI, possibly by attenuating neutrophil respiratory burst activity.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Muscle, Skeletal; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reperfusion Injury; Respiratory Burst

There have been numerous reports that the nutritional intake of many hospitalized patients is sub-optimal, but there is little published information about patients' diets in Australian hospitals. In this study, the nutritional intake of patients in general medical wards of an Australian acute care hospital was assessed. Although the hospital diet can provide adequate energy and nutrients, many patients may not consume sufficient food to meet their needs. The estimated energy intake of about one-third of patients was very low, and vitamin C, calcium and zinc intakes were also of concern. The implications are discussed and recommendations for improved nutritional care are suggested.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Australia; Calcium, Dietary; Diet; Diet Surveys; Dietary Proteins; Energy Intake; Energy Metabolism; Female; Food Service, Hospital; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Iron, Dietary; Male; Menu Planning; Middle Aged; Nutrition Policy; Nutritional Requirements; Zinc

Free radical generation and consequent oxidative stress in thrombotic cerebrovascular stroke have a distinctive role in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain injury. One of the potential injurious effects of homocyst(e)ine in occlusive vascular diseases is free radical generation. In the current study, we investigated the status of oxidant stress in the acute phase of thrombotic cerebrovascular stroke and the possible role of homocyst(e)ine.. We determined levels of plasma homocyst(e)ine, lipid peroxide, ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase, and nitric oxide in 30 patients with thrombotic cerebrovascular stroke within 2 days of the onset of the attack as well as in 22 healthy volunteers of comparable age and gender.. Statistically significant elevation of homocyst(e)ine (P<0. 001), lipid peroxide (P<0.001), and nitric oxide (P<0.001) plasma levels were observed in stroke patients compared with healthy controls. On the other hand, the antioxidant ascorbic acid plasma levels were significantly lower in the patient group compared with healthy control subjects (P<0.001). Meanwhile, superoxide dismutase plasma levels were not statistically different in either groups. The study also revealed a significant and strong positive correlation between homocyst(e)ine and lipid peroxide (r=0.85, P<0.001). Ascorbic acid plasma levels were significantly negatively correlated with both homocyst(e)ine (r=-0.875, P<0.001) and lipid peroxide (r=-0.576, P<0.001). The nitric oxide level was positively correlated with superoxide dismutase (r=0.396, P<0.05).. We conclude that hyperhomocyst(e)inemia is a possible causal factor in free radical generation during the acute phase of thrombotic cerebrovascular stroke. Pharmacological intervention could potentially be beneficial in this setting and warrants further evaluation.

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; Cerebral Infarction; Female; Free Radical Scavengers; Homocysteine; Humans; Intracranial Thrombosis; Lipid Peroxides; Male; Middle Aged; Nitric Oxide; Oxidative Stress; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Superoxide Dismutase

Acute exposure of rats to acrolein (1 or 2 ppm) resulted in reduced levels of glutathione, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol. The activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase were reduced whereas an increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase was observed. This led to enhanced lipid peroxidation, which produced extensive lung damage as indicated by the elevated levels of the biochemical markers--angiotensin converting enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase, protein and lactate in the bronchoalveolar lavage.

Topics: Acrolein; Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Glutathione; Lipid Peroxidation; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Oxidation-Reduction; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Vitamin E

Etoposide (VP-16) is extensively used to treat cancer, yet its efficacy is calamitously associated with an increased risk of secondary acute myelogenous leukemia. The mechanisms for the extremely high susceptibility of myeloid stem cells to the leukemogenic effects of etoposide have not been elucidated. We propose a mechanism to account for the etoposide-induced secondary acute myelogenous leukemia and nutritional strategies to prevent this complication of etoposide therapy. We hypothesize that etoposide phenoxyl radicals (etoposide-O(.)) formed from etoposide by myeloperoxidase are responsible for its genotoxic effects in bone marrow progenitor cells, which contain constitutively high myeloperoxidase activity. Here, we used purified human myeloperoxidase, as well as human leukemia HL60 cells with high myeloperoxidase activity and provide evidence of the following. 1) Etoposide undergoes one-electron oxidation to etoposide-O(.) catalyzed by both purified myeloperoxidase and myeloperoxidase activity in HL60 cells; formation of etoposide-O(.)radicals is completely blocked by myeloperoxidase inhibitors, cyanide and azide. 2) Intracellular reductants, GSH and protein sulfhydryls (but not phospholipids), are involved in myeloperoxidase-catalyzed etoposide redox-cycling that oxidizes endogenous thiols; pretreatment of HL60 cells with a maleimide thiol reagent, ThioGlo1, prevents redox-cycling of etoposide-O(.) radicals and permits their direct electron paramagnetic resonance detection in cell homogenates. VP-16 redox-cycling by purified myeloperoxidase (in the presence of GSH) or by myeloperoxidase activity in HL60 cells is accompanied by generation of thiyl radicals, GS(.), determined by HPLC assay of 5, 5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline glytathionyl N-oxide glytathionyl nitrone adducts. 3) Ascorbate directly reduces etoposide-O(.), thus competitively inhibiting etoposide-O(.)-induced thiol oxidation. Ascorbate also diminishes etoposide-induced topo II-DNA complex formation in myeloperoxidase-rich HL60 cells (but not in HL60 cells with myeloperoxidase activity depleted by pretreatment with succinyl acetone). 4) A vitamin E homolog, 2,2,5,7, 8-pentamethyl-6-hydroxychromane, a hindered phenolic compound whose phenoxyl radicals do not oxidize endogenous thiols, effectively competes with etoposide as a substrate for myeloperoxidase, thus preventing etoposide-O(.)-induced redox-cycling. We conclude that nutritional antioxidant strategies can be targeted at minimizing etoposid

Topics: Acute Disease; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Chromans; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II; DNA, Neoplasm; Electrons; Etoposide; Free Radicals; HL-60 Cells; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Leukemia, Myeloid; Oxidation-Reduction; Peroxidase; Phospholipids; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Vitamin E

Ascorbic acid (AA) is an important endogenous antioxidant in plasma and has been shown to be decreased at the time of hospital admission in patients with acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma AA concentration continues to decrease after admission and whether the extent of decrease is related to the severity of pancreatitis.. Consecutive patients with mild (n = 62) and severe (n = 23) acute pancreatitis had plasma AA concentration measured on the day of recruitment and on days 2 and 5 by high-performance liquid chromatography.. The plasma AA concentration in patients with acute pancreatitis was significantly less than that in normal volunteers on days 0, 2 and 5 (P < 0.0001) and this was more marked in those with severe disease. There was a decrease in plasma AA concentration from day 0 to day 2 in patients with mild (P < 0.0001) and severe (P = 0.0005) pancreatitis, and from day 2 to day 5 in patients with severe pancreatitis (P = 0.023).. Endogenous plasma AA continues to decrease over the first 5 days in hospital and the extent is related to the severity of acute pancreatitis. Presented to a meeting of the Australasian Surgical Research Society, Auckland, New Zealand, August 1995 and published in abstract form as Aust N Z J Surg 1996; 66: 243

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

The activities of antioxidant enzymes in the cornea and tears in patients with ophthalmic herpes and in the saliva in those with herpetic stomatitis were assessed. Impaired inhibition of hydroxy radical and a drop of antioxidant enzymes activities and of the level of ascorbic acid in herpes-infected cornea and tears are factors in the pathogenesis of ophthalmic herpes. Measurements of enzymatic activities in the tears and saliva in herpetic infection are a valuable diagnostic test and a criterion of treatment efficacy.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Catalase; Child; Cornea; Glutathione Peroxidase; Glutathione Reductase; Humans; Keratitis, Herpetic; Middle Aged; Peroxidases; Rabbits; Saliva; Spectrophotometry; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Superoxide Dismutase; Tears

In this study, we evaluated the ability of submandibular gland scintigraphy to predict the prognosis of peripheral facial nerve paralysis.. Submandibular gland scintigraphy was performed in 78 patients with acute peripheral facial nerve paralysis. After injection of 180-370 MBq [99mTc]pertechnetate, serial 1-min images were acquired for 25 min. At 15 min after injection of radionuclide, ascorbic acid was administered intraorally to stimulate salivary secretion. Regions of interest were set manually on both submandibular glands, and time-activity curves were generated. The ratios of peak count density (PCR) and washout (WR) of the affected side to the normal side were calculated. Parameters of > or = 0.8 suggested normal affected submandibular function and indicated a good prognosis.. Complete recovery of facial nerve paralysis was observed in 52 of 78 patients. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of PCR for a good prognosis were 79%, 50% and 69%, and those of WR were 85%, 77% and 82%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values for a good prognosis were 76% and 54% in PCR and 88% and 71% in WR, respectively. When WR obtained within 14 days of the onset was used, positive and negative predictive values for a good prognosis were 94% and 73%, respectively. None of the eight patients who had values of <0.8 for both parameters within 14 days of the onset recovered completely.. Submandibular gland scintigraphy can serve as a reliable indicator to predict the prognosis of acute peripheral facial nerve paralysis in its early symptomatic period.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child, Preschool; Facial Paralysis; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parkinson Disease; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Submandibular Gland

In patients with an acute destructive pancreatitis the lowering of sulphhydride (SH) groups in proteinic and nonproteinic fraction of the blood plasma, the reduction of the ascorbic acid level and increase of its oxidized forms concentration was noted. After the operation the disordered indexes have restored, moreover, and after the programmed relaparotomy conduction--as after a single operative intervention. Acceleration of the disordered indexes restoration was promoted by application of pentoxifylline and low-intensity laser irradiation as well.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Combined Modality Therapy; Disulfides; Female; Humans; Infrared Rays; Laser Therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidation-Reduction; Pancreatectomy; Pancreatitis; Pentoxifylline; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Sulfhydryl Compounds

Reactive oxygen species and related oxidative damage have been implicated in the initiation of acute pancreatitis. Changes in these parameters during disease progression merit further investigation.. To evaluate changes and the clinical relevance of superoxide radicals, endogenous antioxidants, and lipid peroxidation during the course of acute pancreatitis.. Superoxide radicals (measured as lucigenin amplified chemiluminescence), ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, alpha tocopherol, and lipid peroxidation (measured as thiobarbiturate reactive substances) were analysed in blood samples from 56 healthy subjects, 30 patients with mild acute pancreatitis, and 23 patients with severe acute pancreatitis. The association with grades of disease severity was analysed. Measurements were repeated one and two weeks after onset of pancreatitis.. In the blood from patients with acute pancreatitis, there were increased levels of the superoxide radical as well as lipid peroxides. There was notable depletion of ascorbic acid and an increased fraction of dehydroascorbic acid. Changes in alpha tocopherol were not great except in one case with poor prognosis. Differences between severe and mild acute pancreatitis were significant (p < 0.01). Variable but significant correlations with disease severity scores were found for most of these markers. The normalisation of these indexes postdated clinical recovery one or two weeks after onset of disease.. Heightened oxidative stress appears early in the course of acute pancreatitis and lasts longer than the clinical manifestations. The dependence of disease severity on the imbalance between oxidants and natural defences suggests that oxidative stress may have a pivotal role in the progression of pancreatitis and may provide a target for treatment.

Topics: Acute Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Luminescent Measurements; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Pancreatitis; Statistics, Nonparametric; Superoxides; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Vitamin E

Recent evidence has suggested that ischemia-reperfusion injury is fundamental to the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. This study was designed to determine whether acute pancreatitis is associated with elevated serum manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), a key antioxidant enzyme, considered a marker of ischemia-reperfusion injury in myocardial infarction. Thirty-four patients with acute pancreatitis had measurements of MnSOD on days 0, 2, and 5 after recruitment. The patients were recruited within 12 h of admission to hospital and had measurements of MnSOD on days 0, 2, and 5. Patients with severe acute pancreatitis had significantly elevated serum MnSOD concentrations on days 2 and 5 compared with patients with mild acute pancreatitis, but not on the day of recruitment. Elevated serum MnSOD correlated with peripheral plasma markers of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) and neutrophil activation (myeloperoxidase) and was associated with decreased plasma ascorbic acid concentrations. The serial measurement of serum MnSOD may prove useful as a marker of the effectiveness of treatment designed to limit ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Female; Humans; Male; Malondialdehyde; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; Peroxidase; Reperfusion Injury; Superoxide Dismutase

A 7-year-old boy with deficient activity of methylmalonyl coenzyme A mutase (mut-methylmalonic acidemia) was seen in severe metabolic crisis. After hemodialysis and clearance of toxic metabolites, severe lactic acidosis persisted with multiorgan failure. Glutathione deficiency was noted and high-dose ascorbate therapy (120 mg/kg) commenced. Glutathione deficiency may contribute to the lactic acidosis observed during decompensation in patients with methylmalonic acidemia.

Topics: Acidosis, Lactic; Acute Disease; Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Glutathione; Humans; Male; Methylmalonic Acid; Renal Dialysis

A case of recovery from acute respiratory insufficiency due to paraquat is described. A 57-year-old farmer developed breathlessness, high fever and interstitial infiltrates in the upper and middle lung fields few days after percutaneous paraquat poisoning with rapid evolution to pulmonary fibrosis. Anti-inflammatory drugs and antioxidants, were administered to the patient, though with a delay, with some improvement; the patient survived despite residual lung fibrosis. Paraquat lung, as confirmed by this paper, is not invariably fatal.

Topics: Acute Disease; Agricultural Workers' Diseases; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Male; Methylprednisolone; Middle Aged; Paraquat; Poisoning; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Skin Absorption; Vitamin E

Inflammation-induced disease as seen with trauma and infection can lead to increased lung oxidant activity resulting in cell membrane lipid peroxidation. Acute zymosan-induced peritonitis in rats produces lung inflammation, edema, and lipid peroxidation. We determined whether administered alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), the key antioxidant protection against cell membrane lipid peroxidation, would improve this process.. Male Wistar rats were given 0.75 mg/kg of intraperitoneal zymosan, volume resuscitated, monitored, and killed at 4 or 24 hours. Lung histologic changes and levels of conjugated dienes, a marker of lipid peroxidation, were used to monitor injury. The levels of vitamin E, vitamin C, and catalase were used to monitor antioxidant defenses. The effect of administering alpha-tocopherol (50 mg/kg) by gavage immediately after zymosan on the degree of the lung injury was then determined.. Twenty-four hours after zymosan was administered, the vitamin E levels in plasma were significantly decreased, but lung tissue vitamin E levels were maintained, whereas tissue catalase and vitamin E levels decreased. Lung tissue-conjugated diene levels, alveolar edema, and neutrophil count were significantly increased. alpha-Tocopherol treatment increased the postzymosan plasma vitamin E levels by 50%. Lung tissue vitamin E levels did not increase; however, the degree of lung injury and lipid peroxidation was significantly attenuated. Tissue catalase levels were also maintained.. We conclude that alpha-tocopherol given at the onset of a progressing inflammatory injury can protect the lung from oxidant damage and attenuate the degree of lung injury.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Catalase; Lipid Peroxidation; Lung; Male; Peritonitis; Pulmonary Edema; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Vitamin E; Zymosan

We determined whether plasma levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) accurately reflect the tissue GSH and GSSG levels in lung and liver during a progressive acute inflammation-induced increased oxidant activity. We also determined whether plasma GSH also reflected other antioxidant defenses. Male Wistar rats (n = 38) were given intraperitoneal zymosan (.75 mg/g body weight) producing an acute progressive peritonitis and generalized inflammation. Animals were resuscitated then killed at 4 or 24 h. Plasma and tissue levels of GSH, GSSG, vitamin C, alpha-tocopherol, and catalase were measured. Conjugated dienes and malondialdehyde were used as tissue markers of lipid peroxidation. We found lung and liver tissue GSH to be decreased significantly at 4 h while GSSG was increased. Lipid peroxidation was also present in the lung. At 24 h, GSH remained decreased in liver and GSSG remained increased in lung along with the lipid peroxides conjugated dienes and malondialdehyde. In addition, overall antioxidant defenses were decreased in both lung and liver. Plasma GSH remained decreased at 24 h corresponding with the decrease in liver GSH as well as the decrease in other plasma and tissue antioxidants. However, plasma GSSG levels were not significantly increased, at any time point, indicating plasma GSSG does not accurately reflect tissue oxidant activity.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Catalase; Glutathione; Glutathione Disulfide; Inflammation; Lipid Peroxidation; Liver; Lung; Male; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Vitamin E; Zymosan

Acute zymosan-induced peritonitis in rats produces lung inflammation and lipid peroxidation. The effect of this process on plasma and lung tissue ascorbic acid was determined, as was the effect of infusing 150 mg/kg of ascorbic acid immediately after zymosan on the degree of lung insult. Ascorbic acid levels were significantly decreased in plasma and lung tissue at 24 h after zymosan, and lung tissue conjugated diene and neutrophil content was also significantly increased. Vitamin C infusion increased postzymosan plasma levels by 50% over normal control levels. However, lung tissue ascorbic acid was still decreased, and no decrease in the lung injury process was noted. Added ascorbic acid also did not prevent a decrease in plasma vitamin E with the peritonitis. We conclude that the amount of ascorbic acid given in this study did not diminish the lung oxidant inflammatory changes. An insufficient dose or inadequate time for plasma ascorbic acid to equilibrate with the lung cytosol are possible explanations for the lack of attenuation of lung oxidant stress.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Inflammation; Lipid Peroxidation; Lung; Male; Oxidation-Reduction; Peritonitis; Pulmonary Edema; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency; Zymosan

Topics: Acute Disease; Acute Kidney Injury; Adenocarcinoma; Anuria; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Kidney Calculi; Male; Middle Aged; Oxalates; Prostatic Neoplasms

Vitamin C is a key antioxidant in human blood plasma and hence could influence the outcome of conditions such as acute pancreatitis in which oxidative stress apparently plays a pivotal role. The concentrations of vitamin C and its immediately bioavailable form, ascorbic acid, in fasting plasma samples from 30 healthy volunteers were compared with those in admission samples from 29 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis and 27 patients with other acute abdominal crises. Median (range) levels of vitamin C and ascorbic acid, respectively, were 15 (6.3-19) and 12 (4.5-18) micrograms/ml in the control group, 2.8 (0.3-10) and < 0.5 (< 0.5-6.0) micrograms/ml in patients with acute pancreatitis, and 3.7 (0.6-15) and 2.3 (< 0.5-15) micrograms/ml in those with other acute abdominal problems. Admission plasma samples showed equally low vitamin C levels in both groups of patients (P < 0.001 versus controls), but those from patients with acute pancreatitis were further characterized by a disproportionate reduction in ascorbic acid, such that the concentration of ascorbic acid and its ratio to vitamin C were both significantly lower than in samples from patients with an acute abdomen (P < 0.005 and P < 0.001 respectively). It is concluded that the stress of an acute intra-abdominal crisis is accompanied by a non-specific decrease in the plasma level of vitamin C. In acute pancreatitis early and profound oxidative stress compounds this problem by denaturing the available vitamin. There may be a case for the judicious parenteral administration of ascorbic acid to patients with acute pancreatitis to boost plasma antioxidant defence.

Topics: Abdomen, Acute; Acute Disease; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; Reference Values; Regression Analysis

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency; Hemolysis; Humans; Male

To define the role of free radicals and of lipid peroxide involvement during the progress of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice, we evaluated the effect of a novel free radical scavenger, 2-octadecylascorbic acid (CV-3611), on pancreatic edema formation, and the levels of serum enzymes (amylase, lipase) and of lipid peroxide in pancreatic tissue. Mice were divided into three groups: control group, intraperitoneal injection of saline only; pancreatitis group, cerulein 50 micrograms/kg injected intraperitoneally six times at 1-hr intervals; treatment groups, CV-3611 10 mg/kg subcutaneously just after intraperitoneal cerulein injection. After the cerulein injection, the degree of pancreatic edema formation, serum amylase and lipase levels, and the amount of lipid peroxide in pancreatic tissue increased significantly during the observation period of 12 hr. Treatment with CV-3611 resulted in significant reduction in pancreatic edema formation at 3.5 hr (P less than 0.05) and 9 hr (P less than 0.05), serum amylase and lipase levels at 3.5 hr (P less than 0.05) and 12 hr (P less than 0.05), and lipid peroxide levels at 3.5 hr (P less than 0.05), 6 hr (P less than 0.05) and 12 hr (P less than 0.05). These results indicate that a novel free radical scavenger, CV-3611, has a strong therapeutic effect during the development of acute pancreatitis and suggest that oxygen-derived free radicals play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amylases; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ceruletide; Female; Free Radical Scavengers; Lipase; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Pancreatitis; Peroxidases

The blood flow in the portal vein and hepatic artery was studied by means of ultrasonic Doppler flow measurement to investigate organic and regional hemodynamics of the liver in purulent cholangitis. The blood flow in the portal vein was found to be significantly diminished in patients with acute cholangitis and hepatic failure. Hepatic microcirculation was studied on a experimental model of obstructive jaundice and obstructive purulent cholangitis in rats by polarographic measurement of hydrogen clearance. Considerable reduction of the volume rate of the local blood flow was noted, and the degree of the reduction was related to the severity and duration of the disease. Decompression of the biliary tract by external drainage improved the local blood flow rate which, however, diminished again in prolonged external drainage. The use of pharmacological agents for correction of microcirculation in decompression of the biliary tract led to total and rapid correction of the volume rate of the local blood flow.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Aprotinin; Ascorbic Acid; Aspirin; Cholangitis; Cholestasis; Dextrans; Dipyridamole; Drainage; Drug Combinations; Heparin; Humans; Liver Circulation; Male; Microcirculation; Pentoxifylline; Pyridinolcarbamate; Rats; Rutin; Suppuration; Ultrasonography; Xanthinol Niacinate

The symptomatology of a case of acute infection with Helicobacter pylori is described, together with the accompanying changes in gastric mucosal histology, local and systemic humoral immune response, and gastric ascorbic acid concentration. The patient was an endoscopist, previously negative for the carbon-14 urea breath test, who had a week of epigastric pain and then became asymptomatic. H pylori was detected by culture of antral biopsy specimens and was still present after 74 days. Five days after infection the histological findings showed acute neutrophilic gastritis; by day 74 changes of chronic gastritis were evident. The patient seroconverted by IgG enzyme linked immunosorbent assay by day 74, but a mucosal IgM and IgA response was evident as early as day 14. Infection was accompanied by a transient hypochlorhydria but a sustained fall in gastric juice ascorbic acid concentration.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Antibodies, Bacterial; Ascorbic Acid; Gastric Juice; Gastric Mucosa; Gastritis; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Male

Influence of natrii hydroxybutyrate (100 mg/kg), ascorbate (100 mg/kg), cavinton (5 mg/kg), bemitil (50 mg/kg), ethomersol (50 mg/kg) on Hb-O2 affinity and cortex PO2 after both carotid artery occlusion in rats was investigated. Correlation (r-0.87; P less than 0.05) between lowering of Hb-O2 affinity and antihypoxic effect was demonstrated in the line of these drugs.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Benzimidazoles; Brain Ischemia; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Hemoglobins; Hypoxia, Brain; Oxygen; Rats; Sodium Oxybate; Vasodilator Agents; Vinca Alkaloids

Cortinarius poisoning is generally caused by orellanine, a hydroxy bipyridine N, N-dioxide. This intoxication is characterized by acute nephritis which can lead to death without treatment. We reported a highly sensitive and simple fluorimetric technique to analyse orellanine by thin-layer chromatography on the basis of its characteristic photodecomposition into orelline. Using this procedure, we detected and assayed orellanine for the first time in plasma and renal biopsies of a woman who had deliberately ingested two fruit-bodies of Cortinarius orellanus. An early original treatment was carried out based on hemodialysis, combination plasmapheresis-hemoperfusion, and amino acids and diltiazem administration. These results indicate that it is now possible to make a precise diagnosis of orellanine poisoning.

Topics: 2,2'-Dipyridyl; Acute Disease; Acute Kidney Injury; Adult; Agaricales; Amino Acids; Ascorbic Acid; Biopsy; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Combined Modality Therapy; Diltiazem; Dopamine; Female; Fluorometry; Furosemide; Hemoperfusion; Humans; Kidney; Mushroom Poisoning; Mycotoxins; Photochemistry; Plasmapheresis; Renal Dialysis

In order to clarify the role of free radicals in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis, we observed the effect of a new synthetic free radical scavenger (CV-3611) on the pathological state in the models of both caerulein and CDE-diet induced acute pancreatitis in mice. In both models of acute pancreatitis, the levels of serum amylase activity were reduced significantly by the treatment of CV-3611. Pancreatic edema formation was also reduced significantly at 3.5 and 9 h after the first caerulein i.p. injection. The 4 days survival rate in CDE-diet induced pancreatitis was significantly elevated from 41.2% to 81.3% by the treatment of CV-3611. These results indicate that this synthetic scavenger, which has a long circulation half life, high affinity to biomembrane and good cell penetration ability, is effective on the development of both severe and mild pancreatitis. The main pathogenesis of both models is suggested to be radical reactions on the biomembrane which is caused by the interreaction between endothelium and neurophile in caerulein induced pancreatitis, and by the lipid peroxidation on the biomembrane of the organella in the cell in CDE-diet induced pancreatitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amylases; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ceruletide; Endothelium; Ethionine; Female; Free Radicals; Lipid Peroxidation; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Neutrophils; Pancreatitis

The content of B6, PP and C vitamins was determined in the blood, CSF and urine in 64 patients with ischemic stroke during admission and on the 10-15 and 25-30 days of the disease. Patients with ischemic stroke show a marked deficit of the mentioned vitamins. When vitamins were not included in the complex treatment of stroke their deficit remained, though the general condition of the patients improved.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Brain Ischemia; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Niacinamide; Pyridoxine; Seasons

Sixty-three patients with acute thrombotic stroke were compared with 47 age and sex-matched patients admitted concurrently with acute ischaemic cardiac pain and a further 44 with acute noncardiovascular illnesses. Overall the stroke patients scored highest on a questionnaire designed to estimate mean daily intake of vitamin C before hospital admission. There were problems with this retrospective dietary assessment, however, and the diet scores of the 27 stroke patients able to answer the questionnaire themselves fell between those of the other two groups. There were no significant differences between the three patient groups in plasma ascorbic acid or uric acid levels, but plasma magnesium and albumin levels were higher in the stroke patients. These findings were similar for patients aged over and under 70 but intergroup differences in magnesium and albumin levels were more marked in the elderly. These results do not support the postulated inverse relationship between vitamin C status and the risk of stroke.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Humans; Magnesium; Male; Mental Recall; Middle Aged; Nutritional Status; Risk Factors; Serum Albumin; Surveys and Questionnaires; Uric Acid

The influence of acute and chronic hypoxia on the ascorbic acid content in liver, adrenal, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and brain in 18-day-old rats was studied. Due to acute hypoxia a significant decrease in ascorbic acid concentration in the adrenal occurred. Its levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid increased significantly compared with controls. Chronic hypoxia caused a significant ascorbic acid concentration increase in all samples studied with the exception of olfactory lobe and vermis cerebelli.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adrenal Glands; Age Factors; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Brain; Chronic Disease; Hypoxia; Liver; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

Data from animal studies and from studies of patients with acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) have provided suggestive evidence for an association between ascorbate deficiency and disease risk. Further, there is biological plausibility for such an association, due to the role of ascorbate in collagen synthesis and leukocyte function. A case-control study of plasma ascorbate and ANUG was performed on 60 patients with a history of ANUG infection and 60 age-race-sex-matched controls. No cases had had active lesions for at least two months prior to their vitamin assay to avoid any potential reduction of dietary intake of ascorbic acid due to the presence of painful mouth lesions. According to results obtained by use of a modification of the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method for determination of total plasma ascorbate, the mean and standard error of the mean of plasma ascorbate for all ANUG cases was 0.07 +/- 0.006 mmol/L; the mean for all controls was 0.10 +/- 0.006 mmol/L. Paired differences in plasma ascorbic acid concentrations between cases and controls were significantly different from zero (p less than 0.001). The unadjusted relative risk (RR) of ANUG as obtained by conditional logistic regression for subjects whose plasma ascorbic acid concentration was at or below the median value for controls, relative to subjects with higher values, was 7.3 (90% confidence interval, 3.0 - 17.4; one-sided p value less than 0.001). Patients with a history of ANUG ingested a daily average of 1.2 +/- 0.2 servings of dietary ascorbic acid, as compared with a daily average of 1.9 +/- 0.2 servings for healthy controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Diet; Female; Gingivitis, Necrotizing Ulcerative; Humans; Male; Oral Hygiene; Smoking; Social Class; Stress, Psychological

Topics: Acute Disease; Administration, Topical; Ascorbic Acid; Benzocaine; Humans; Infant; Male; Methemoglobinemia; Methylene Blue; Nonprescription Drugs; Tooth Eruption

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Paraquat; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Riboflavin

Lymphocyte subsets were assessed in patients with measles using the OKT range of monoclonal antibodies. A significant decrease in cells reacting with the OKT3 and OKT4 monoclonal antibodies was observed. When the tests were repeated 3 wk after the acute infection, significant recovery of these subsets was observed. The abnormality in lymphocyte subsets could be reproduced by treating normal lymphocytes with measles virus in vitro. When lymphocytes from patients with measles or when normal cells infected with measles virus in vitro were treated with either levamisole or L-ascorbic acid for 15 min and then retested with the OKT antisera, restoration of the previously depleted OKT3+ and OKT4+ cell population was observed. Ascorbic-acid treatment also, to a certain extent, reversed the inability of measles mononuclear cells to produce lymphocyte mitogenic factor (helper factor for B cells) after pokeweed mitogen activation. This abnormality, however, could not be reversed by in vitro treatment with levamisole. Measles patients treated with L-ascorbic acid demonstrated no accelerated recovery in either their lymphocyte subset profile or their ability to produce lymphocyte mitogenic factor. Although the cause of the depressed OKT3+ and OKT4+ lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with measles is not clear, the results suggest that the effect is not due to an aberration of protein synthesis, but rather to a blocking or steric change produced by the virus on the cell membrane. It is likely that both ascorbic acid and levamisole have the ability to reverse this effect by virtue of their antioxidant properties.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Viral; Ascorbic Acid; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Interleukin-2; Leukocyte Count; Levamisole; Lymphocyte Activation; Measles; Rosette Formation; T-Lymphocytes

The effects of vitamin C on acute paracetamol poisoning were studied in mice. Given orally at 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg, either simultaneously or 2 h after the oral administration of 875 mg/kg of paracetamol, vitamin C did not cause any decrease in the mortality rate. In similar conditions in previous experiments methionine and cysteine were shown to be very effective antidotes.

Topics: Acetaminophen; Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Capillary Permeability; Child, Preschool; Fibrinolysin; Heparin; Humans; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Peptide Hydrolases; Pneumonia

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Brain; Guinea Pigs; Liver; Male; Pituitary Gland; Scurvy

Topics: Acute Disease; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Aerosols; Ascorbic Acid; Freeze Drying; Humans; Methylthiouracil; Pentoxyl; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Tonsillitis; Uracil

Kainic acid (KA), an analogue of L-glutamate, was microinjected in 0.1 microliter of saline into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of adult rats. In rats anesthetized with halothane or alpha-chloralose, KA injected unilaterally elicited hypotension, bradycardia, and apnea. The threshold dose was 0.1-0.2 ng (10(-13) mol). Doses greater than 0.2 ng blocked responses to subsequent injections for at least 30 minutes. Doses of KA greater than 15 ng reduced the reflex bradycardia elicited by raising the arterial pressure with phenylephrine and produced arterial hypertension in rats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose or in other rats within 15 minutes of terminating halothane anesthesia. Bilateral injection of KA in doses greater than 15 ng completely blocked baroreflexes and resulted in a dose-dependent elevation of arterial pressure (167 +/- 9.4; P less than 0.001) both in alpha-chloralose-anesthetized rats and in awake rats after the termination of halothane anesthesia. The hypertension rapidly led to pulmonary edema and death. Procaine microinjected also elicited fulminating hypertension; vehicle did not. Doses of KA producing hypertension caused no histological or biochemical evidence of neuronal death. The cardiovascular responses to KA were restricted to sites in the intermediate one-third of NTS and could not be elicited by injection into adjacent sites in brainstem. The results indicate that, in low doses, KA injected into NTS stimulates neurons which mediate the baroreflex, whereas, in higher doses, it produces baroreflex blockade and neurogenic hypertension. The results suggest that fulminating hypertension can be produced by nondestructive perturbations of neurochemical transmission in brain. Since the cardiovascular responses of KA are similar to those produced by microinjection into NTS of the amino acid neurotransmitter glutamic acid, the study adds further support to the hypothesis that L-glutamate is the neurotransmitter released by baroreceptor afferent nerves.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Pressure; Heart Rate; Hypertension; Kainic Acid; Male; Medulla Oblongata; Procaine; Pyrrolidines; Rats

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Leukocytes; Myocardial Infarction; Postoperative Period

A study of the concentration of met- and sulfhemoglobine in patients on admission to the clinic and at the end of the preoperative management and treatment was carried out upon 35 surgical cases. The medicamentous therapy included the drugs favouring the restoration of methemoglobin (10.20% and 40% glucose solutions, ascorbic acid etc.). Therewith the concentration of non-active hemoglobine derivatives dropped at the end of the preoperative management and treatment.

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Cholecystitis; Female; Glucose; Humans; Male; Methemoglobinemia; Middle Aged; Sulfhemoglobinemia

A case of self-poisoning with sodium selenate sheep drench, along with blood and urine levels of selenium, is reported. Treatment included gastric lavage, diuresis, vitamin C, and dimercaprol, and the patient recovered without sequelae.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Ascorbic Acid; Dimercaprol; Female; Humans; Poisoning; Selenium

The level of ascorbic acid in the blood plasma of 59 calves was determined. The age of the calves ranged between two and three months and the samples of blood were collected in January. The first group of calves included 30 animals displaying no clinical symptoms of disease: the average ascorbic acid level was 0.50 +/- 0.18 mg per 100 ml. In the second group, consisting of 19 calves, the blood of the animals was collected three weeks after the termination of the acute stage of bronchopneumonia; the average value of ascorbic acid was 0.30 +/- 0.14 mg per 100 ml. The lowest average value of ascorbic acid was obtained in the calves at an acute stage of bronchopneumonia, reaching 0.18 +/- 0.11 mg per 100 ml. The differences of results between groups I and II and between groups I and III were found to be statistically significant. A conspicuous drop of ascorbic acid level was ascertained in calves suffering from bronchopneumonia-this problem needs deeper scrutiny, owing to the fact that bronchopneumonia is responsible for considerable economic losses in large-capacity calf houses.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Bronchopneumonia; Cattle; Cattle Diseases

The clinical histories of 81 patients with hypersensitivity reactions to nitrofurantoin, 66 of whom had pulmonary reactions, were studied. Of all patients, 94% were women and of these, 43% were between 40 and 59 years of age. The nitrofurantoin preparation that contained vitamin c caused significantly fewer hypersensitivity reactions than the others. Acute pulmonary reactions appeared a mean of 8.7 days after the start of nitrofurantoin treatment. Typical for these were high fever, dyspnoea, cough, blood eosinophilia, bilateral pneumonic or pleuro-pneumonic infiltrations, a reduced transfer factor of the lung and, as revealed in pulmonary biopsy specimens, vasculitis, interstitial inflammation and alveolar exudation. Symptoms of subacute and chronic pulmonary reactions developed after at least 1 and 6 months of treatment, respectively. Findings of interest were anti-nuclear antibodies in serum, capillary sclerosis, interstitial fibrosis and inflammation in pulmonary tissue. Most patients with an acute pulmonary reaction recovered within 15 days, but in more than half of those with chronic reactions slight signs of pulmonary fibrosis persisted on follow-up. The findings suggest that the interstitial pulmonary changes caused by nitrofurantoin are largely the result of an Arthus-type immune complex-mediated reaction.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Chronic Disease; Drug Combinations; Drug Hypersensitivity; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nitrofurantoin; Pneumonia; Pulmonary Fibrosis

1. Serial estimations of plasma (PAA) and leucocyte (LAA) ascorbic acid concentrations were made in geriatric patients in a stable phase of their illness, and compared with a similar ('unstable') group suffering from acute illness. 2. In the 'unstable' group, though PAA levels were unchanged, LAA levels were reduced. 3. The 'follow-up' period of 7-8 d there was much greater variation in both PAA and LAA levels in the 'unstable' group. 4. Acute illness was often accompanied by an increase and then a decrease in LAA levels. Recovery was associated with an increase in LAA levels.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Leukocytes; Male; Plasma

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Dogs; Flavonoids; Gastric Mucosa; Nutritional Requirements; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Time Factors; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamins

Tested were two methods for the treatment of cows affected with acute endometritis after giving birth. The experiments were carried out with a total of 92 cows of the Bulgarian Brown breed kept under equal condtions of feeding and management. Two tests and one control groups were formed. The first group of cows (48) were treated with a bilateral epipleural block after Mossin. As a result 66.7 per cent of the cows conceived up to the 80th day after calving and 43.7 per cent at the first insemination. The service period of the impregnated cows of this group was 73.3 +/- 4.94 days, on an average. The second group of cows (25) were treated muscularly with a combination of 1 per cent magnesium sulphuricum solution (40 cu. cm), vitamin C (10 cu. cum), norsulphasol (5 g), and chloramphenicol (2 g). The treatment was repeated at a three-day interval. The results of the treatment accounted for 68 per cent impregnated cows up to an 80-day service period, and 48 per cent--at first insemination. The service period of the cows of this group lasted 69.3 +/- 6.0 days, on an average. The control group cows were treated at random with penicillin and streptomycin, muscularly. The conception rate at first insemination was 36.7 per cent, and within the range of an 80-day service period--47.02 per cent of the treated cows. The average service period for this group lasted 91.80 +/- 9.28 days.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Chloramphenicol; Drug Evaluation; Drug Therapy, Combination; Endometritis; Female; Magnesium Sulfate; Nerve Block; Pregnancy; Procaine; Puerperal Infection; Sulfathiazoles

Topics: Acute Disease; Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Ascorbic Acid; Chronic Disease; Female; Growth Disorders; Hematuria; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Liver; Liver Diseases; Male; Methionine; Pregnancy; Tyrosine

Clinical evaluation and estimation of blood levels of vitamins A, E, C, B1, B2, B6 and of total carotenoids were carried out in 52 consecutive children admitted to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Sydney during the winter epidemic of diarrhoea. The children included 37 Europeans and 15 Aboriginals, who were previously apparently healthy. Of these, 19 Europeans and ten Abororigines were studied also after recovery. The anthropometric, clinical, microbiological and biochemical data for each child is presented. Vitamin treatment, duration of symptoms, severity of diarrhoea, stool microbiology and the role of secondary malabsorption as a main cause of the depressed plasma vitamin levels found is discussed.

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Carotenoids; Child, Preschool; Enterobacteriaceae; Ethnicity; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gastroenteritis; Humans; Infant; Male; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Thiamine; Vitamin A; Vitamin E; Vitamins

Fasting serum samples from 53 patients with an acute myocardial infarction were investigated for their vitamin C content during the first week of their illness. The vitamin C levels found were generally within the accepted normal limits. However, there were highly significant lower levels on the second to the fifth post-infarction days, as compared with those found on days six to eight.

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Fasting; Humans; Myocardial Infarction; Time Factors

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aminophylline; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Transfusion; Drug Therapy, Combination; Hepatic Encephalopathy; Humans; Male; Mushroom Poisoning; Prednisolone; Thiamine Pyrophosphate

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Oxytetracycline; Penicillins; Pneumonia; Streptomycin

Topics: Acute Disease; Adrenal Glands; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Dextrans; Growth Hormone; Hemorrhage; Infusions, Parenteral; Rabbits

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Ceruloplasmin; Humans; Inflammation; Seasons

The platelet ascorbic acid concentration was measured in 26 normal subjects and found to be 20 times as high as in plasma. This is in agreement with previous reports in the literature. The platelets of patients with uraemia, leukaemia, and megaloblastic anaemia had a lower than normal platelet ascorbic acid content. In uraemia and megaloblastic anaemia the plasma ascorbic acid concentration was normal suggesting that a platelet defect may be responsible for the low platelet ascorbic acid content. In leukaemia the low platelet ascorbic acid content is probably secondary to a low plasma level.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Anemia, Macrocytic; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Platelet Disorders; Blood Platelets; Female; Humans; Leukemia; Leukemia, Lymphoid; Leukemia, Myeloid; Male; Plasma; Uremia

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cadmium Poisoning; Male; Manganese; Mice; Testis; Thiamine; Zinc

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Analysis of Variance; Ascorbic Acid; Catatonia; Ceruloplasmin; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Schizophrenia; Sex Factors

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Acute Disease; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenal Glands; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cholesterol; Chronic Disease; Histocytochemistry; Microscopy, Polarization; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Rabbits; Sodium Chloride; Swine

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Transfusion; Humans; Norepinephrine; Peritonitis; Pyrimidines; Suppuration; Vitamin B Complex

Topics: Acute Disease; Age Factors; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Cortisone; Diet Therapy; Glomerulonephritis; Gluconates; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Purpura; Rheumatic Diseases; Rutin; Vitamin K

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Transfusion; Diet; Diet Therapy; Duodenal Ulcer; Endoscopy; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Gastritis; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hematemesis; Hernia, Diaphragmatic; Humans; Melena; Myocardial Infarction; Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage; Radiography; Stomach Neoplasms; Vagotomy; Vitamin K

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Ascorbic Acid; Autopsy; Brain Chemistry; Chromates; Chromium; Dimercaprol; Humans; Kidney; Liver; Male; Peritoneal Dialysis; Poisoning; Potassium

Topics: Absenteeism; Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Coal Mining; Diet; Humans; Influenza, Human; Occupational Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Seasons; Time Factors

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Bilirubin; Cholestasis; Cholesterol; Chronic Disease; Coenzymes; Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood; gamma-Globulins; Glucocorticoids; Hepatitis A; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Function Tests; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; Sulfobromophthalein; Transaminases; Vitamin B Complex

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases; Hypoxia; Isocitrate Dehydrogenase; Isoenzymes; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Myocardium; NAD; Oxidoreductases; Rats; Stimulation, Chemical

Topics: Acute Disease; Adrenal Glands; Animals; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Brain Chemistry; Cholesterol; Diet, Atherogenic; Fatty Acids; Guinea Pigs; Intestine, Small; Liver; Male; Models, Biological; Phospholipids; Scurvy

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Atropine; Audiometry; Deafness; Diphenhydramine; Humans; Procaine; Scopolamine; Vascular Diseases; Vasodilator Agents

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascites; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Protein Disorders; Diet Therapy; Diuretics; Glucocorticoids; Hemorrhagic Disorders; Hepatic Encephalopathy; Hepatitis A; Humans; Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; Rest; Rutin; Serum Albumin; Vitamin K

Topics: Acute Disease; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Ascorbic Acid; Burns, Chemical; Chronic Disease; Contact Lenses; Cornea; Corneal Injuries; Edema; Eye Diseases; Glaucoma; Glucose; Glycerol; Humans; Hypertonic Solutions; Idoxuridine; Intraocular Pressure; Keratitis, Dendritic; Keratoconus; Ophthalmic Solutions; Povidone; Silicones; Sodium Chloride; Surface-Active Agents; Tears

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Amobarbital; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antimalarials; Ascorbic Acid; Chlortetracycline; Convulsive Therapy; Electroconvulsive Therapy; Female; gamma-Globulins; Humans; Male; Penicillins; Phenobarbital; Schizophrenia; Streptomycin; Thiamine; Triazines; Vitamins

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Hepatitis; Hepatitis A; Vitamins

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Communicable Diseases; Humans; Respiratory System; Respiratory Tract Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Flavonoids; Glomerulonephritis; Humans; Vitamins

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Humans; Inflammation; Pyrrolidinones; Vitamins

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Ventilators, Mechanical; Vitamins