ascorbic-acid and Emphysema

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases; however, studies on antioxidant vitamins and respiratory outcomes have been conflicting. We evaluated whether lower serum levels of vitamins A, C, D, and E are associated with respiratory morbidity and mortality in the U.S. adult population.. We conducted a pooled analysis of data from the 1988-1994 and 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (participants aged ≥ 20 years). We estimated covariate-adjusted odds ratios (aOR) per interquartile decrease in each serum vitamin level to quantify associations with respiratory morbidity, and covariate-adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) to quantify associations with respiratory mortality assessed prospectively through 2015. Vitamin supplementation and smoking were evaluated as potential effect modifiers.. Lower serum vitamin C increased the odds of wheeze among all participants (overall aOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.16). Among smokers, lower serum α-tocopherol vitamin E increased the odds of wheeze (aOR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.04-1.19) and chronic bronchitis/emphysema (aOR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.03-1.24). Conversely, lower serum γ-tocopherol vitamin E was associated with lower odds of wheeze and chronic bronchitis/emphysema (overall aORs: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.79-0.92 and 0.85, 95% CI: 0.76-0.95, respectively). Lower serum vitamin C was associated with increased chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD) mortality in all participants (overall aHR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07-1.51), whereas lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) tended to increase mortality from CLRD and influenza/pneumonia among smokers (aHR range: 1.33-1.75). Mortality from influenza/ pneumonia increased with decreasing serum vitamin A levels in all participants (overall aHR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.99-1.48). In pooled analysis, vitamin C deficiency and 25-OHD insufficiency were associated with mortality from influenza/pneumonia, increasing mortality risk up to twofold.. Our analysis of nationally representative data on over 34,000 participants showed that lower serum levels of vitamins A, C, D, and α-tocopherol vitamin E are associated with increased respiratory morbidity and/or mortality in U.S. adults. The results underscore the importance of antioxidant vitamins in respiratory health.

Topics: Adult; alpha-Tocopherol; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Bronchitis, Chronic; Emphysema; Humans; Influenza, Human; Morbidity; Nutrition Surveys; Vitamin A; Vitamins

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Biology; Emphysema; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; India; Models, Biological; Models, Chemical

Cigarette smoke (CS) induces emphysema by tissue destruction through the production of oxidants and metalloproteinases [matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)]. The possibility of lung repair after emphysema remains unclear. Our aim was to study the effects of vitamins C and E on mouse lung repair evaluated by catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and MMP-9 activities; by the amount of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in lung homogenates; by cell quantification in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid; and by lung histology. Male C57BL/6 mice (n=25) were exposed to nine cigarettes per day, 7 days/week, for 60 days in a whole-body exposure chamber. The control group was sham smoked (n=10). After 60 days of CS exposure, a group of animals was sacrificed (n=5) and the others were divided into two groups: (a) CSv (n=10) supplemented with saline and olive oil (vehicles) for 60 days and (b) CSr (n=10) supplemented with vitamins C and E (50 mg/kg/day) for 60 days. These mice were then sacrificed; BAL was performed and the lungs were removed for biochemical and histological analysis. The results demonstrated that CAT activity was decreased in the CSv and CSr groups compared to the control group. SOD activity was higher in the CSv group than in the control and CSr groups. The CSv group showed a higher neutrophil count in BAL fluid, associated with more TNF-alpha in lung homogenates, than the control or CSr groups. Finally, emphysema in the CSv group was associated with fewer collagen and elastic fibers than in the control and CSr groups. These results indicate a possible role of vitamins C and E in lung repair after emphysema induced by long-term CS exposure in mice.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Emphysema; Lung; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Oxidative Stress; Smoking; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Vitamins

Evidence suggests that the antioxidant vitamin C may play a role in lung function and wheezing, although the data are limited to laboratory evaluation of pulmonary function.. To examine the relationship among serum vitamin C levels, wheezing episodes, and use of health care services.. Analysis of adult subjects (aged > or = 17 years) surveyed in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) (n = 19,760), including measurements of serum vitamin C levels and self-reports of wheezing episodes, ambulatory health care visits, and overnight hospitalizations for wheezing.. A large proportion of individuals (2377/19,760 [12.0%]) have received a diagnosis of asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. Among 874 individuals having an ambulatory visit for wheezing, 408 (46.7%) did not have a diagnosed respiratory conditions. Similarly, among 159 individuals hospitalized for wheezing, 61 (38.4%) did not have a diagnosed respiratory condition. Serum vitamin C level had no significant relationship with reported diagnosis of respiratory conditions, episodes of wheezing, or use of health care services for wheezing. In a model computed only with individuals with low or high serum vitamin C levels, after adjustment for potential confounders, no statistically significant relationship was found between serum vitamin C levels and ambulatory care (odds ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-1.05) or hospitalization for wheezing episodes (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-2.21).. Serum vitamin C levels do not appear to be a marker for use of health care services for wheezing. Future investigations of the role of antioxidants in managing respiratory conditions should focus on the clinically important outcomes of health care use.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ambulatory Care; Ascorbic Acid; Asthma; Bronchitis; Emphysema; Female; Health Resources; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Surveys; Odds Ratio; Respiratory Sounds; United States

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Aspirin; Asthma; Calcium; Citrates; Coronary Disease; Depression, Chemical; Diabetes Mellitus; Duodenal Ulcer; Dwarfism, Pituitary; Emphysema; Facial Paralysis; Gluconates; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Hypertension; Hyperthyroidism; Kidney Calculi; Liver Diseases, Parasitic; Magnesium; Oxalates; Phosphates; Pyridoxine; Schistosomiasis; Stimulation, Chemical; Terpenes; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary