ascorbic-acid and Purpura--Thrombocytopenic

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

Chronic ITP is a common hematologic illness. Approximately three fourths of the patients respond to corticosteroids or splenectomy and need no further treatment. Patients refractory to these two therapeutic approaches are relatively resistant to present forms of treatment and are at much greater risk for morbidity and mortality. Future clinical studies evaluating therapy in this refractory group would be best performed in a cooperative group setting in which large numbers of patients could be treated in a prospective randomized manner.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Ascorbic Acid; Autoimmune Diseases; Azathioprine; Colchicine; Cyclophosphamide; Cyclosporins; Danazol; Female; gamma-Globulins; Humans; Methylprednisolone; Plasmapheresis; Platelet Transfusion; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic; Splenectomy; Vinca Alkaloids

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Agranulocytosis; Anemia, Hemolytic; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune; Ascorbic Acid; Autoantibodies; Autoimmune Diseases; Blood Transfusion; Chloroquine; Colitis; Colitis, Ulcerative; Drug Hypersensitivity; Drug Therapy; Hemoglobinuria; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal; Humans; Internal Medicine; Leukopenia; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Neutrophils; Purpura; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic; Splenectomy; Thrombocytopenia; Thyroiditis; Toxicology; Vitamins

Forty-two patients in the acute phase of onyalai were admitted to hospital and randomly divided into three groups of 14 to receive prednisolone 3 mg/kg/d for 1 week, intravenous gammaglobulin 100 mg/kg on 2 successive days, or ascorbic acid 1000 mg 3 times a day for 1 week. The groups were comparable with regard to sex and age distribution, initial platelet counts and initial haemoglobin values. No statistical difference was observed between the three treatment groups with regard to changes in the platelet counts during the period of observation. One patient died from haemorrhagic shock. The low mortality rate in this series suggests that admission to hospital and early correction of blood loss are important factors in reducing the mortality rate associated with onyalai.

Topics: Adolescent; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Immunization, Passive; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Count; Prednisolone; Prospective Studies; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Count; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Middle Aged; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic; Time Factors

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Autoimmune Diseases; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic

This report deals with a case of 23-year-old woman with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) showing a favorable response to vitamin C (VC) administration. She was treated with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, whereas inadequately controlled with its tolerable dosage. Next, she underwent splenectomy. However, there were only transient effects on platelet counts, so the therapy with ascorbate was carried out according to the report by Brox et al. The platelet counts increased to 20 x 10(4)/microliters after 4 months. Side effects of VC therapy did not occur.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Postoperative Care; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic; Splenectomy

The treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) includes corticosteroids, danazol, splenectomy and various immunosuppressives. Treatment can be difficult for those patients refractory to these modalities and/or those patients intolerant of the secondary effects. In this paper we report on the use of ascorbate in the treatment of ITP and its successful use in seven of 11 patients studied. We found that therapy with ascorbate appeared to improve the platelet count and the intravascular survival of platelets. Because of excellent patient compliance and its lack of toxicity, it may be an alternative for the treatment of ITP. The exact role of ascorbate in the treatment of ITP, as well as its mechanism of action, await further study.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Count; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic; Time Factors

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Leukocytes; Male; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic; Scurvy

Topics: Adolescent; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Platelet Disorders; Bone Marrow Examination; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Megakaryocytes; Oral Hemorrhage; Prednisone; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic; Rubella

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Aminocaproates; Aminocaproic Acid; Ascorbic Acid; Fibrinolysis; Hemorrhagic Disorders; Homeostasis; Humans; Physiology; Purpura; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic; Thrombocytopenia

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aniline Compounds; Ascorbic Acid; Chalcones; Coloring Agents; Flavonoids; Hemophilia A; Hesperidin; Hypoprothrombinemias; Leukemia; Prothrombin; Purpura; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic; Tolonium Chloride; Vitamins