Ascorbic Acid Group Research Articles

Mechanism of vitamin C alleviating the immunotoxicity of 17α-methyltestosterone in Carassius auratus.

In recent years, the use of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has become increasingly common, leading to severe environmental pollution and harm to aquatic organisms. 17α-Methyltestosterone (MT) is a synthetic androgen that can cause immunotoxicity in aquaculture, affecting fish health. To address this issue, this study aimed to investigate the effect of Vitamin C (VC) on MT-induced immunotoxicity and determine the optimal VC supplementation. Carassius auratus was exposed to 50 ng/L MT and treated with 25, 50, and 150mg/kg VC for 7, 14, and 21 d. Morphological indicators, histological characteristics, hepatic antioxidant capacity, and immune-related gene expression were analyzed. Additionally, RNA-seq was performed on the liver tissues of the control, MT, and MT + 25mg/kg VC groups after 21 d. Results showed that, MT treatment significantly increased liver malondialdehyde content and inhibited immune-related gene expression (TNF-α, IL-8, INF-γ, IL-10, Caspase-9, and IGF-I), causing oxidative stress and immunotoxicity, leading to hepatic steatosis. However, supplementation with 25-50mg/kg VC effectively alleviated the MT-induced damage to the hepatic structure and immune system. RNA-seq revealed significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes in multiple signaling pathways, including the mTOR, MAPK, and Wnt pathways. In summary, 25-50mg/kg VC alleviated inhibitory effect of MT on immune-related genes in C. auratus liver, reducing MT-induced tissue damage. VC not only alleviated inflammation, oxidative stress, and immunotoxicity induced by MT through the regulation of the mTOR, MAPK, and Wnt signaling pathways, but also indirectly enhanced cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms by regulating the NRF2 pathway. This provides a theoretical basis for VC application in aquaculture, improving fish health and increasing efficiency.

Protective Effects of Ascorbic Acid Against Cadmium-Induced Toxicity in the Placenta and Fetus of Rats.

This study aimed to determine the protective role of l-ascorbic acid in a pregnant rat model of cadmium-induced toxicity. Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that can seriously harm placenta and fetus tissue in pregnant women. Forty-two healthy female Wistar albino rats (250-300 g weight and 14-16 weeks) were randomly distributed into six equal groups (n = 7): control, cadmium 1 mg (CD1), cadmium 5 mg (CD5), ascorbic acid (AA), CD1+AA, CD5+AA. Cadmium was administered to pregnant rats by oral gavage every other day, and/or AA (200 mg) was administered every day. At the end of pregnancy (Day 21), blood, placenta, and fetuses were collected from rats. The results indicated that cadmium-induced oxidative stress by increasing the level of MDA and by decreasing the levels of GSH, SOD, and CAT activity in the serum of maternal. However, AA administration significantly decreased MDA levels and increased GSH levels, SOD, and CAT activity (p < 0.05). Cadmium (5 mg/kg) exposure significantly increased creatinine levels compared to AA and CD1+AA groups (p < 0.05). In addition, AA (200 mg/kg) significantly attenuated cadmium-induced histopathological alteration in the placental and fetal tissues. In conclusion, AA may prevent cadmium toxicity in maternal and fetal tissues, as it regulates oxidative imbalance in pregnant rat tissues and alleviates histopathological changes.

Evaluating the efficacy of probiotics and ascorbic acid as anti-stress agents against heat stress in broiler chickens.

Heat stress poses a substantial challenge to poultry production worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for effective management strategies. This study investigated the efficacy of probiotics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and ascorbic acid as antistress agents using cloacal and body surface temperatures (CT and BST) as heat stress biomarkers in broiler chickens. A total of 56 broiler chicks were used for the experiment and were divided into four distinct groups: control, probiotics (1 g/kg of feed), ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg of feed) and the combination of probiotics and ascorbic acid (1 g/kg and 200 mg/kg of feed, respectively). The study lasted 35 days; measurements were taken for ambient temperature (AT), CT, and BST. The ambient temperature in the pens consistently exceeded the thermoneutral zone (TNZ) established for broiler chickens. The CT values for broiler chickens in the probiotic group were significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Additionally, the BST values in the probiotic and probiotic + ascorbic acid groups were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those in the control group. The findings suggest that incorporating probiotics, with or without ascorbic acid, can effectively reduce CT and BST values in broiler chickens thereby, enhancing thermoregulation when compared to the control group. This implies that using probiotics in poultry diets may enhance health and growth performance, potentially leading to better feed efficiency and reduced reliance on antibiotics. Implementing these dietary strategies could improve the productivity and welfare of broiler chickens in commercial settings.

Effects of Herbal Safflower Oil on Longevity and Oxidative Stress

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is one of the oldest cultivated plants. Safflower oil, separated from its seeds, has superior properties than many vegetable oils. In this study, it was aimed to determine the toxic, antitoxic or antioxidant effects of safflower oil. For this purpose, 72±4-hour old larvae of the Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) model organism Oregon R wild strain were used. According to the preliminary studies, application doses were determined as 0.3125%; 0.625%; 1.25%, and 2.5%. In addition, distilled water, ascorbic acid, and H2O2 control groups were formed and the toxic or antitoxic effects of using them separately or together on the larvae were investigated. In addition, the lifespan of individuals that matured from larvae were studied and antioxidant parameters (TAS/TOS/OSI) were examined in male individuals fed at the doses with the best results. All experimental sets were repeated three times. As a result, it was determined that Safflower oil does not cause any toxic effect on the larvae at the concentrations used; on the contrary, when used with H2O2, it has a reduced toxic effect. As a result of the longevity studies of safflower oil, it was observed that the longest average life was in the %1.25 Safflower Oil + H2O2 application group with 65±1.09 days. It was determined from the data obtained from antioxidant studies that the antioxidant capacity of safflower oil was high, but this result was not statistically significant compared to the control group Ascorbic acid (p&gt;0.05).

Topical Ascorbic Acid Mesotherapy with Microneedling versus Topical Tranexamic Acid Mesotherapy with Microneedling for Melasma: A Therapeutic Comparative Study

Background &amp; objectives: Melasma is a common skin hyperpigmentation syndrome that frequently includes reproductive-aged females, and numerous therapies with various consequences have been suggested. Thus, the objective was to compare the microneedling and mesotherapeutic effects of ascorbic acid versus tranexamic acid for melasma treatments. Methods: This interventional therapeutic prospective study was conducted on 40 patients with melasma at Khabat Consultation Center for Skin Diseases, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, from March 2022 to August 2022. Sociodemographic data of patients were collected together with a family history of melasma using a well-designed questionnaire. Half of the patients were treated with ascorbic acid, while the rest were treated with tranexamic acid using a derma pen. Results: Highly significant reduction of MASI score were seen before and after treatment (p&lt;0.001) were seen in mean scores before and after treatments for both types of treatments (ascorbic acid and tranexamic acid). Moreover, ascorbic acid results in the highest mean score reduction in skin type III (p=0.746), while tranexamic acid results in the highest mean score in skin type IV (p&lt;0.05). Furthermore, the dermal melasma recorded the highest mean score, and the lowest level was observed in the epidermal melasma for both ascorbic acid and tranexamic acid groups. No significant difference was found between both studied groups in sociodemographic data and other studied variables (family history, skin type, previous treatment, and duration of melasma). Conclusions: Both types of therapy mesotherapy was effective in treating melasma; however, their potencies varied on different skin types and according to melasma types.

Acute Gastropathy Associated with Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy.

Utilization of low-volume preparation agents is crucial to improve patient willingness to undergo repeat colonoscopies. However, gastric safety data on preparation agents are limited. This study evaluated the acute gastropathy associated with bowel preparation agents. This retrospective study enrolled healthy subjects who underwent both esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy screening. Baseline patient characteristics, bowel preparation success, acute gastropathy, and polyp and adenoma detection rates were evaluated for 1 L polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (1 L PEG/Asc) and oral sulfate tablet (OST) groups. Comparison of the OST group (n=2,463) with the 1 L PEG/Asc group (n=2,060) revealed that the rates of successful cleansing and high-quality cleansing were similar between the two groups. Polyp and adenoma detection rates were significantly higher in the OST group than in the 1 L PEG/Asc group (p<0.001 and p=0.013), while the incidence of acute gastric mucosal lesion-like blood stain/clot, erosions at greater curvature side of antrum/body, multiple erosions, and overlying mucosal erythema or edema were all significantly higher in the OST group than in the 1 L PEG/Asc group (all p<0.001). Additionally, high and indeterminate probability scores of preparation agent-induced gastropathy (p=0.001) and mean Lanza scores were significantly higher in the OST group than in the 1 L PEG/Asc group (1.3 vs. 0.4, p<0.001). Compared with 1 L PEG/Asc, OSTs were significantly associated with acute gastropathy during bowel preparation, thus requiring careful consideration from physicians for the simultaneous screening of EGD and colonoscopy.

The effect of ascorbic acid, QMix and other conditioning solutions on the bond strength of adhesively luted glass fiber-reinforced composite posts to root dentin, a laboratory study

PurposeThis study was designed to investigate the effect of post space conditioning with different solutions on the bond strength of glass FRC posts and evaluate the mode of resin failure. MethodsSixty extracted human single rooted teeth were root filled using a resin sealer and suitable gutta-percha cones. Post spaces were prepared, and the teeth randomly allocated into 5 groups according to their irrigation regimens which included the following solutions: 17 % EDTA, 2 % CHX, 3 % NaOCl, 10 % ascorbic acid and QMix solutions. Post spaces were irrigated with 5 ml of the solution for 15 s and subsequently washed with distilled water and dried with paper points. Glass FRC posts were cemented into their spaces using a self-adhesive resin cement. The specimens were mounted in plexiglass molds using autopolymerizing acrylic resin. A universal testing machine was used to measure post retention at a crosshead speed of 2 mm/min. The results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey HSD test (α = 0.05). Dislodged posts and post spaces were examined microscopically to evaluate retention failure. ResultsThe Ascorbic acid group exhibited the highest mean retentive strength value at 229 N, followed by QMix at 198 N, NaOCl at 186 N, CHX at 170 N, and EDTA at 124 N. The mean value of the ascorbic acid group was significantly higher than EDTA group, p = 0.012. The failure category was primarily mixed. ConclusionsRinsing post spaces with ascorbic acid exhibited significantly superior bond strength. The failure mode was mixed. Clinical significanceIrrigating post spaces with ascorbic acid solution before luting FRC posts significantly improves their bond strength compared to irrigation with EDTA solution. Irrigation with QMix solution produced the second highest retentive strength but showed no statistical significance when compared to using ascorbic acid, NaOCl, CHX, or EDTA solutions.

Tannic acid inhibits pain mediators, inflammation and oxidative stress in mice exposed to glyphosate-based herbicide.

Chronic exposure to glyphosate-based herbicide (Gly) has been associated with neurological disorders. Tannic acid (TA) is an antioxidant with attenuating action against neuroinflammation-associated conditions. This study evaluated the effect of Gly on pain perception alongside antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions of TA in Gly-exposed mice. Male Swiss mice were randomly divided into six groups (n=8): control (distilled water 0.2 ml/kg), Gly (Gly 500 mg/kg), Pre-TA + Gly (TA 50 mg/kg pre-treatment, afterwards Gly-administered), TA + Gly (TA 50 mg/kg and Gly co-administered), Pre-AA + Gly (ascorbic acid (AA) 10 mg/kg pre-treatment, afterwards Gly-administered), and AA + Gly (AA 10 mg/kg and Gly co-administered). Mechanical, thermal, and chemical pain were evaluated six weeks post vehicle/drugs administrations orally, followed by brain biochemical measurements. TA treatment alleviated Gly-induced hyperalgesia in similar version to the values of control and AA groups by increasing significantly (p < 0.05) nociceptive thresholds. Moreover, TA-treatment significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) levels, significantly increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-4, and TGF-1β) levels, and antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities compared to Gly-treated mice (p < 0.05). Conclusively, TA treatment exerted antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions, possibly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in Gly-exposed mice. Notably, TA pre-treatment showed a better response than TA and Gly co-administration. We propose the potential neuroprotective and ameliorative functions of TA in Gly-induced hyperalgesia. This merits further clinical research into protective roles of TA against pesticide-related conditions.

Metabolomics reveals ascorbic acid inhibits ferroptosis in hepatocytes and boosts the effectiveness of anti-PD1 immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundImmunotherapy combined with molecular targeted therapy is increasingly popular in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, immune-related adverse events(irAEs) brought on by immunotherapy increase the likelihood of side effects, thus it is important to look into ways to address this issue.MethodsDifferent metabolite patterns were established by analyzing metabolomics data in liver tissue samples from 10 patients(divided into severe and mild liver injury) before and after immuno-targeted therapy. After establishing a subcutaneous tumor model of HCC, the mice were divided into PBS group, ascorbic acid(AA) group, and anti-PD1 + tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) group, anti-PD1 + TKI + AA group. Liver tissue were stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE) and the content of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase(ALT) in blood were determined. The mechanism was confirmed by western blotting, mass cytometry, and other techniques.ResultsThrough metabolomics analysis, AA was significantly reduced in the sample of patients with severe liver injury caused by immuno-targeted therapy compared to patients with mild liver injury. The addition of AA in vivo experiments demonstrated a reduction in liver injury in mice. In the liver tissues of the anti-PD1 + TKI + AA group, the protein expressions of SLC7A11,GPX4 and the level of glutathione(GSH) were found to be higher compared to the anti-PD1 + TKI group. Mass cytometry analysis revealed a significant increase in the CD11b+CD44+ PD-L1+ cell population in the AA group when compared to the PBS group.ConclusionsAA could reduce liver injury by preventing hepatocyte SLC7A11/GPX4 ferroptosis and improve the immunotherapy effect of anti-PD1 by boosting CD11b+CD44+PD-L1+cell population in HCC.

Ascorbic Acid Supplementation and Immune Response in Healthy Women during High-intensity Exercise

Introduction the benefits of consuming extra Ascorbic Acid (AA) while exercising are not well understood. Aim This study aims to explore the effects of AA supplementation on oxidative stress, the immunological response, and inflammation in healthy women after a single bout of high-intensity exercise. Materials and Methods In a crossover design, 20 sedentary women (aged 18-22) underwent 30 minutes of vigorous cycling. They were divided into two groups: one receiving daily 1,000 mg ascorbic acid supplementation (1,000AA) and the other without supplementation (0AA). This regimen was maintained for one week. Blood samples obtained pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 24 hours post-exercise underwent analysis for oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, and neutrophil phagocytic activity. Results An AA supplement significantly increased plasma concentrations of AA (p&lt;0.05) and reduced post-exercise plasma MDA levels (p&lt;0.05) but did not affect creatine kinase activity. White blood cells, CD8+ T cells, and IL-6 increased significantly after exercise but remained unchanged in the 1,000AA group compared to the 0AA group, while the neutrophil count increased (p&lt;0.05) after exercise with no change in phagocytic function. A slight drop in phagocytic function was observed 24 hours after exercise in the 1,000AA group. Exercise and AA supplements had no effect on CD4+ T cells. Conclusion a single session of high-intensity exercise caused oxidative stress, muscle injury, and inflammation, as well as a transient increase in CD8+ T cells. A short administration of AA attenuated the exercise-induced oxidative stress and reduced inflammation by limiting the increase in IL-6 and CD8+ T cells.

Comparative Assessment of Gingival Depigmentation Using Scalpel Versus Microneedling With Ascorbic Acid: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Gingival pigmentation (GP), characterized by the presence of melanin in the gingival tissues, is a common aesthetic concern in dental practice. While it poses no inherent health risks, the visible discoloration may cause psychological distress for individuals seeking optimal dental aesthetics. Understanding the efficacy of various methods is essential for refining treatment strategies and enhancing patient satisfaction in the realm of gingival depigmentation (GD). Aim The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of scalpel and microneedling (MN) with ascorbic acid in the treatment of GD. Materials and methods Sixteen patients who had a complaint of GP were included in the study, of whom eight were allocated for depigmentation with a scalpel, and the other eight patients were treated with the MN technique with ascorbic acid. Postoperative wound healing scores were evaluated on the first and seventh days, respectively. The intensity of depigmentation was assessed at baseline, in the first month, and at the end of the third month, respectively. Results The mean Dummett-Gupta Oral Pigmentation Index (DOPI) score at baseline was 2.65±0.16 and 2.61±0.17 in the surgical and microneedling groups with ascorbic acid, respectively. The mean DOPI score at the end of the third month was 1.67±0.39 and 0.87±0.17 in the scalpel and MN with ascorbic acid groups, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the scalpel and MN with ascorbic acid groups at the end of the first and third months, respectively, where MN with ascorbic acid showed aesthetically pleasing outcomes. Patients treated with the scalpel technique showed incomplete healing and ulceration on the first and seventh days after the procedure when compared to the MN technique with ascorbic acid. The healing index scores were statistically significant in the MN with ascorbic acid group. Conclusion The MN technique with ascorbic acid is a successful technique for treating GD. It showed aesthetically gratifying outcomes when compared to the conventional surgical technique.

Vitamin C Alleviates Intestinal Inflammation Caused by Aeromonas hydrophila in Juvenile Blunt Snout Bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

Vitamin C (VC) can be used to increase disease resistance in practice in intensive aquaculture. But it is still unconfirmed whether VC could alleviate inflammation and what dosage is suitable. This study investigated the effects of dietary VC on the immunity and enteritis of juvenile blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. The fish were fed with VC levels ranging from 25.35 to 2231.98 mg/kg for 60 days. After that, fish fed with 150.65 mg/kg, 573.79 mg/kg, and 2231.98 mg/kg VC were challenged with A. hydrophila orally to simulate enteritis. The results showed that 285.39 and 573.79 mg/kg dietary VC significant improved growth performance and feed utilization. Dietary VC (573.79 and 1133.79 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the serum immune parameters, antioxidant enzymes’ activities, and relative gene expressions of ikbα and cat in the liver in the 60-day feeding trail. The survival rate was significantly higher in 573.79 mg/kg dietary VC group than the other two treatments. Cytokines were activated after the bacteria challenge. Dietary 573.79 mg/kg VC caused significantly higher TNF-α level at 12 hpi and maintained a high level of IL-8 at 48 to 72 h compared to other treatments. In conclusion, more than 500 mg/kg VC was needed to maintain the health of blunt snout bream juveniles. Suitable VC would activate cytokines to increase disease resistance along with antioxidant enzymes.

Biological and histological changes and DNA damage in Oreochromis niloticus exposed to oxytetracycline: a potential amelioratory role of ascorbic acid

Antibiotics are crucial in the control of bacterial infections on fish farms. However, the influence of licensed antibiotics on DNA damage, histological changes, and protein differentiation in some farmed fish species is unidentified. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of therapeutic (80 mg/kg body weight/day) and high doses (160 mg/kg body weight/day) of oxytetracycline (OTC) on some biological indices, protein differentiation, histological changes, and DNA damage in Oreochromis niloticus (n = 360; 40 ± 3.5 g) and the potential positive effects of dietary ascorbic acid (AA) and whether it is capable of reducing the deleterious impacts of OTC and working synergistically to increase fish disease resistance and decrease morbidity and mortality rates. In the current study, fish were fed diets with or without OTC (80 or 160 mg/kg body weight/day) and AA (100 mg/kg diet/day) for 28 days, followed by a bacterial stress test with two different virulent strains for 14 days. Treatments include CTR (control; without additives), AA, OTC80, OTC160, OTC80 + AA, and OTC160 + AA. The results revealed that the AA group had the best antioxidative (significant increase in SOD, CAT, and GPx) and immunomodulatory effects (an increase in IgM, nitroblue tetrazolium, and total leucocytic count). Furthermore, the hematological parameters, immune indices (NBT), and antioxidant enzymes were significantly reduced by OTC160 (p ≤ 0.05). The results also showed that OTC160 notably augmented the activity of liver (ALT, AST, and LDH) and kidney (creatinine and urea) damage markers (p ≤ 0.05). OTC160 revealed considerable hepatic and renal tissue damage and significantly higher hepatocyte DNA damage. Pathological changes and DNA damage were directly correlated to the dosage of OTC exposure, where they were more severe in OTC160. OTC80 showed insignificant changes in most parameters. Compared to CTR, the inclusion of AA in the O. niloticus diet significantly restored the biological indices, histological changes, and DNA damage in OTC-treated groups. The morbidity and mortality percentages after bacterial challenge were significantly lower in the OTC80 + AA group, followed by the OTC160 + AA group than in the CTR. These results corroborate the use of AA as a potent antioxidant and immune stimulant and a potential co-adjuvant to OTC in the diet of O. niloticus to reach optimal resistance to disease.

A Technical Report on the Potential Effects of Heat Stress on Antioxidant Enzymes Activities, Performance and Small Intestinal Morphology in Broiler Chickens Administered Probiotic and Ascorbic Acid during the Hot Summer Season.

Oxidative stress negatively affects the welfare of broiler chickens leading to poor productivity and even death. This study examined the negative effect of heat stress on antioxidant enzyme activities, small intestinal morphology and performance in broiler chickens administered probiotic and ascorbic acid during the hot summer season, under otherwise controlled conditions. The study made use of 56 broiler chickens; which were divided into control; probiotic (1 g/kg); ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg) and probiotic + ascorbic acid (1 g/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively). All administrations were given via feed from D1 to D35 of this study. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were highly significant (p < 0.0001) in the treatment groups compared to the control. Performance indicators (water intake and body weight gain) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the probiotic and probiotic + ascorbic acid group. The height of duodenal, jejunal and ileal villi, and goblet cell counts of broiler chickens were significantly different in the treatment groups. In conclusion, the study showed that heat stress negatively affects the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, performance and the morphology of small intestinal epithelium, while the antioxidants were efficacious in ameliorating these adverse effects.

The effects of eight weeks of aerobic training with vitamin C on the expression pathway of antioxidants in the hippocampus tissue of TMT induced Alzheimer's disease rats

IntroductionAlzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurological disorders and, researchers believe that the impairment of oxidant-antioxidant system plays an important role in its progression. The PI3K/NRF2 pathway has particular importance in increasing the expression of antioxidants. Thus present study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic training (AT) with vitamin C (VC) on the expression pathway of antioxidants in the hippocampus tissue of trimethyltin chloride (TMT) induced Alzheimer's Disease Rats. MethodsIn this experimental study, 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats (age 14–16 months, weight 270–320 g) were injected 10 mg/kg TMT and were divided into (1) TMT (n = 7), (2) TMT + VC (n = 7), (3) TMT + AT (n = 7) and (4) TMT + VC + AT (n = 7) groups. Also, 7 healthy rats without any intervention selected as healthy control (HC) group to investigate the effects of TMT on research variables. Groups 3 and 4 ran on the treadmill for eight weeks, for 15–48 min at a speed of 10–24 m/min. Also, groups 2 and 4 received 4 mg/kg VC orally. To measure PI3K, Nrf2, SOD and catalase in the hippocampus tissue of rats, ELISA method were used. To analyze the data, one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's post- hoc tests were used (P ≤ 0.05). ResultsThe hippocampal values of Nrf2 and SOD in TMT + VC, TMT + AT and TMT + VC + AT groups were higher than TMT group (P = 0.001). Catalase in TMT + AT and TMT + VC + AT groups was higher than TMT group (P = 0.001). Also, catalase and PI3K were higher in the TMT + VC + AT group than the TMT + VC group (P = 0.05). PI3K levels of TMT + VC + AT group were higher than TMT + AT group (P = 0.02). ConclusionIt seems that AT and VC, both alone and in combination, play a role in improving the transcription pathway of antioxidants in the hippocampus tissue of TMT induced Alzheimer's disease Rats. Therefore, the combination of these two interventions is suggested to improve the antioxidant system.

Ascorbic acid and calcitriol reduce TNF-α to improve the viability of modified McFarlane random skin flaps in Wistar rats

Link of Video Abstract: https://youtu.be/8UIEdUv8za8 Introduction: Distal flap necrosis is one of the most common complications in flap procedure. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is one of the most widespread antioxidants available, while calcitriol, a metabolite of vitamin D, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ascorbic acid and calcitriol on the viability of Modified McFarlane random skin flaps in Wistar rats and its mechanism through suppression of proinflammatory cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α). Methods: An experimental study used 28 Wistar rats, by creating a caudally based 3 cm x 9 cm Modified McFarlane random skin flap and divided into four groups. The first group was injected with 200 mg/kg/day ascorbic acid, the second group with 2μg/kg/day calcitriol, and the third group with 200 mg/kg/day ascorbic acid combined with 2μg/kg/day calcitriol was injected two hours after flap elevation for seven days, respectively. The control group was not given any intraperitoneal injection. After seven days, the percentage of flap viability rate was measured and tissue sampling was performed to measure the amount of capillary density and TNF-α in all groups. Results: The higher percentage of viable flap area was found in all treatment groups, the highest in the ascorbic acid group 80.63% (p&lt;0.001). The highest capillary density was found in ascorbic acid combined with the calcitriol group (27/visual field, p&lt;0.001) compared to all groups. It was also found that the amount of TNF-α in the tissue was lowest in the group administered by ascorbic acid combined with calcitriol compared to all groups 57.38 ng/L and 0.62 nmol/mL respectively compared to all groups (p&lt;0.001). The higher percentage of viable flap area was correlated with a lower amount of TNF-α (p&lt;0.001), but not correlated with the amount of capillary density (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: Ascorbic acid in combination with calcitriol improves the viability of Modified McFarlane random skin flaps by lowering TNF-α levels.

An Unprecedented CeO2/C Non-Noble Metal Electrocatalyst for Direct Ascorbic Acid Fuel Cells.

Direct ascorbic acid fuel cells (DAAFCs) employ biocompatible ascorbic acid (AA) as fuel, allowing convenient storage, transportation, and fueling as well as avoiding fuel crossover. The AA oxidation reaction (AAOR) largely governs the performance of DAAFCs. However, AAOR electrocatalysts currently have low activity, and state-of-the-art ones are limited to carbon black. Herein, we report the synthesis of an unprecedented AAOR electrocatalyst comprising 3.9 ± 1.1 nm CeO2 nanoparticles evenly distributed on carbon black simply by the wet chemical precipitation of Ce(OH)3 and a subsequent heat treatment. The resultant CeO2/C shows a remarkable AAOR activity with a peak current density of 13.1 mA cm-2, which is 1.7 times of that of carbon black (7.67 mA cm-2). According to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the surface Ce3+ of CeO2 appears to contribute to the AAOR activity. Furthermore, our density functional theory (DFT) calculation reveals that that the proton of the hydroxyl group of AA can easily migrate to the bridging O sites of CeO2, resulting in a faster AAOR with respect to the pristine carbon, -COOH, and -C=O sites of carbon. After an i-t test, CeO2/C loses 17.8% of its initial current density, which is much superior to that of carbon black. CeO2 can capture the electrons generated by the AAOR to protect the -COOH and -C=O sites from being reduced. Finally, DAAFCs fabricated with CeO2/C exhibit a remarkable power density of 41.3 mW cm-2, which is the highest among proton-exchange-membrane-based DAAFCs in the literature.

Randomized trial to assess the potential role of ascorbic acid and statin for post-contrast acute kidney injury prevention

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of using statins and ascorbic acid for the prevention of post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) in patients undergoing urologic diagnostic elective contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).MethodsThis registered trial (NCT03391830) was for statin naïve patients underwent elective CECT. Patients were randomized allocated to two groups: the first group received atorvastatin 80-mg the day before the study and atorvastatin 40-mg two hours before the CECT and for continue on atorvastatin 40-mg two days after CECT; plus ascorbic acid 500 mg with atorvastatin. The other group received two tablets of placebo once/daily before the procedure and for another 3 days. The primary outcome was to assess the incidence PC-AKI.ResultsThe baseline parameters were comparable between both groups. The final median (interquartile range “IQR”) serum creatinine were 0.80 (0.60, 1.00) and 0.80 (0.60, 1.00), respectively, with insignificant p-value (p = 0.8). The median (IQR) final estimated GFR were 95.2 (72.8, 108.1) and 88.6 (71.9, 111.0) mL/min in placebo and statin plus ascorbic acid groups, respectively (p = 0.48). The eGFR difference median (IQR) were − 6.46 (− 11.72, − 4.18) and − 6.57 (− 13.38, − 3.82) ml/min in placebo and statin plus ascorbic acid groups, respectively (p = 0.58). PC-AKI occurred in 11 patients (9.8%) in placebo group and in 3 patients (3%) in statin plus ascorbic acid group (p = 0.04).ConclusionsStatin and ascorbic acid did not statistically improve neither serum creatinine nor eGFR values in patient underwent CECT. However, it can decrease the incidence of the clinically insignificant PC-AKI.

Effect of high-dose intravenous ascorbic acid on microcirculation and endothelial glycocalyx during sepsis and septic shock: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Previous studies indicate supplemental vitamin C improves microcirculation and reduces glycocalyx shedding in septic animals. Our randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to investigate whether a high dose of intravenous ascorbic acid (AA) might improve microcirculation and affect glycocalyx in septic patients. In our study, 23 septic patients were supplemented with a high dose (50 mg/kg every 6 h) of intravenous AA or placebo for 96 h. Sublingual microcirculation was examined using a handheld Cytocam-incident dark field (IDF) video microscope. A sidestream dark field video microscope (SDF), connected to the GlycoCheck software (GlycoCheck ICU®; Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands), was employed to observe glycocalyx. We found a significantly higher proportion of perfused small vessels (PPV) 6 h after the beginning of the trial in the experimental group compared with placebo. As an indicator of glycocalyx thickness, the perfused boundary region was lower in capillaries of the 5–9 μm diameter in the AA group than placebo after the first dose of AA. Our data suggest that high-dose parenteral AA tends to improve microcirculation and glycocalyx in the early period of septic shock. The study was retrospectively registered in the clinicaltrials.gov database on 26/02/2021 (registration number NCT04773717).

Investigation of the effect of polarization between a solvated biomolecule and solvent on the biomolecule ionization energy using the SAC-CI method in the ONIOM scheme: Ascorbic acid in water

The importance of considering mutual polarization between the solute and solvent in the calculation of the ionization energy of the solute is investigated in this work. The symmetry-adapted cluster/configuration interaction methodology employing the single and double excitation operators (SAC-CI SD-R) using the ONIOM model was used to investigate the impact of mutual polarization between ascorbic acid (ASA) as a solute and water as a solvent on the ASA’s first ionization energy. For this purpose, only the water molecules, interacting directly and indirectly with each functional group of the ASA via hydrogen bonding and located in the first and second coordination shells of solvent, were considered in the quantum mechanics (QM) layer of the ONIOM model as well as ASA. To account for the mutual polarization between the ASA and water molecules of the first coordination shell, only one water molecule in the direct interaction, via hydrogen bonding, with each functional group of ASA was considered in the QM layer. In this case, the increase of the ionization energy of ASA was observed compared to when all of the water molecules of the first coordination shell are considered in the molecular mechanics (MM) layer of the ONIOM model. In the presence of the second coordination shell, the QM layer was extended in two ways to increase the extent of mutual polarization between the ASA and water: (a) considering one water chain for each functional group of ASA while for the rest of the ASA’s functional groups, only one water molecule was considered in the QM layer. (b) Increasing the number of water chains interacting with the functional groups of ASA in the QM layer to increase the size of the QM layer. In case (a), the increase of the first ionization energy of ASA was seen except for when a water chain is considered for the C = O functional group which results in a decrease in the ionization energy. In case (b) the increase in the number of water chains in the QM layer was accompanied by an increase in the first ionization energy of ASA. Also, considering the effect of the water molecules after the second coordination shell as a non-equilibrium polarized continuum model (PCM) showed a decrease in the ionization energy. Natural bonding orbital (NBO) calculations showed that the variation of the ASA’s first ionization energy due to hydrogen bonding is due to a change in the charge delocalization from the πC=C of ASA, its high-occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), to its vacant non-Lewis orbitals.