Leucocyte Ascorbic Acid Research Articles

Scurvy presenting in a homeless 32-year-old male: a case report.

Vitamin C deficiency, otherwise known as scurvy, is one the oldest known diseases. Although its prevalence has substantially diminished, certain populations such as smokers, alcoholics, elderly, and those with malabsorptive syndromes remain at risk. Deficiency presents with perifollicular hemorrhage, corkscrew hairs, and petechiae that can evolve into ecchymoses and purpura. Diagnosis starts with clinical suspicion and is confirmed with plasma and leukocyte ascorbic acid levels. Early suspicion is key. Treatment with vitamin C offers an excellent prognosis and avoids unnecessary workup for differential diagnoses. In our case, a 45-year-old male alcoholic with progressively worsening symptoms was found to have scurvy. Treatment was initiated with vitamin C supplementation, and he had remarkable improvement in his symptoms within weeks. This case demonstrates that scurvy is not a disease of history and must be considered in modern medicine, especially as homelessness with concomitant poor nutrition continues to increase.

Investigation of Serum and Leukocyte Ascorbic Acid, Plasma and Intra-Erythrocyte Cholinesterase Levels in Obese Persons

Obesity is a complicated disease, including excessive amounts of body fat. Obesity is not just an aesthetic problem. It is also a medical issue that increases your risk of other diseases and health conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Ascorbic acid (A.A.) produced analog enhancing effects in superoxide generation, DNA strand cutting, and cytotoxicity. In leukocytes, toxicity due to mitochondrial permeability was seen in cells exposed to A.A./peroxynitrite, and these responses were determined to occur independently of Ca2 +. Plasma cholinesterase and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activities have a long history of use, both in monitoring workers at risk for organophosphorus pesticide (O.P.) exposure and investigating accidental exposures to O.P.s. Due to the wide variation between individuals, it is necessary to establish unexposed, essential enzyme activities for correct interpretation. Forty-four females and 32 males with a mean age of 40 ± 11.4 years were included in our study. In our study, those with a BMI of 18-24 were considered as control or non-obese (group 1), those between 25 and 30 as obese (group 2), and those between 31 and 42 as extremely obese (group 3). With a moderate standard deviation of 70 and 20 % erosion rate, 76 subjects were determined for 93 % power at the 5 % level of significance. Baseline comparisons among treatment sequences were analyzed using a chi-square test for categorical variables and an unpaired t-test for continuous variables. Mean and standard deviation values were assessed using the SPSS package program, and a statistically significant difference was determined at p-level below 0.05 value. As a result; Although the increase in PCE levels and the decrease in ECE, PTA, and P.A. levels were significantly different. The difference between group 2 and group 3 revealed the importance of these differences between obese and non-obese patients. It has been determined that as obesity increases, the risk of vitamin deficiency also increases.

P167 Relation between consumption of foods which contain vitamin C and leukocyte ascorbic acid concentration with preeclampsia risk

International Journal of Gynecology & ObstetricsVolume 107, Issue S2 p. S458-S459 Poster presentations P167 Relation between consumption of foods which contain vitamin C and leukocyte ascorbic acid concentration with preeclampsia risk M. Ghabel, M. GhabelSearch for more papers by this authorS. Mohammadalizadeh, S. MohammadalizadehSearch for more papers by this authorT. Khadivzadeh, T. KhadivzadehSearch for more papers by this authorDr R. Mahdavi, Dr R. MahdaviSearch for more papers by this author M. Ghabel, M. GhabelSearch for more papers by this authorS. Mohammadalizadeh, S. MohammadalizadehSearch for more papers by this authorT. Khadivzadeh, T. KhadivzadehSearch for more papers by this authorDr R. Mahdavi, Dr R. MahdaviSearch for more papers by this author First published: 20 November 2009 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7292(09)61658-1AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume107, IssueS2Abstracts of XIX FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and ObstetricsOctober 2009Pages S458-S459 RelatedInformation

Changes in serum seromucoid following compensatory hyperparathyroidism: A sequel to chronic fluoride ingestion.

This study was conducted to find out the possible underlying mechanism of various manifestation of fluorosis, a disease caused by excess ingestion of fluoride. For this the fluoride belt of Jaipur district was selected. The parameters selected were serum Parathyroid hormone, the levels of which are directly affected by fluoride intake. The levels of serum seromucoid, serum and leucocyte ascorbic acid, serum sialic acid (SSA) reflects ground substance metabolism. The study was conducted on two hundred children, selected from four areas (50 from each area) consuming water containing 2.4, 4.6, 5.6 and 13.6 mg/l of fluoride. Drinking water fluoride and serum fluoride were measured by Ion selective electrode method. Serum parathyroid by RIA and all other parameters were measured spectrophotometrically. The results revealed an increase in levels of fluoride, parathyroid hormone and seromucoid in serum with increasing water fluoride concentrations. Serum Calcium and serum ascorbic acid were found in normal range, how ever leucocyte ascorbic acid were decreased. A high positive correlation among fluoride concentration in drinking water and serum parathyroid hormone (r=0.967), and, serum parathyroid hormone and serum seromucoid concentration (r=0.935) was also observed The results indicated that secondary hyperparathyroidism due to hypocalcemic stress caused by excess fluoride ingestion disturbs normal metabolism of ground substance in calcified tissues of the body reflected as altered levels of the components of ground substance in the serum.

Oxidative stress, α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione status in schizophrenics

A disturbance in the antioxidant defense system including α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and reduced glutahtione metabolism due to free radical induced oxidative injury has been implicated in various neuro-psychiatric disorders. The roles of these antioxidants, changes in their blood levels and correlation with oxidative stress were studied in a common psychiatric illness Schizophrenia. Fifty-eight subjects of either sex ranging in age from 18-60 years divided into two age groups (≤40 and >40 years) diagnosed for schizophrenia, and forty age and sex-matched normal subjects as controls were included in the study. Blood samples were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), α-tocopherol, total ascorbic acid (TAA), dehydro ascorbic acid (DHAA), reduced ascorbic acid (RAA), leucocyte ascorbic acid (LAA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). A decrease in the levels of α-tocopherol, total ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione was found in schizophrenics compared to normal controls. Further a significant rise in oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant status was observed in the chronic stage of schizophrenia as compared to those in acute condition. A significant rise in dehydroascorbic acid with concomitant fall in reduced ascorbic acid suggests scavenging action of ascorbic acid and its utilization with increased oxidative stress as indicated by high blood malondialdehyde levels. Leucocyte ascorbic acid, a better index of ascorbic acid status was also found to be reduced in schizophrenics, suggesting depletion of body stores of ascorbic acid and the condition worsened with advancing age.

Leucocyte ascorbate levels and postoperative deep venous thrombosis

Forty-four general surgical patients were included in a prospective, randomized double-blind controlled trial of ascorbic acid (500 mg b.d.) or placebo for 7 days before operation. This was to test the hypothesis that vitamin C may reduce the instance of deep venous thrombosis postoperatively. Venous blood samples were taken before entering the trial, just immediately before surgery, on the day of operation and on three further occasions at 3-day intervals postoperatively for leucocyte ascorbic acid concentration (LAC). Venous thrombosis was diagnosed using the 125I-fibrinogen test and the leg scans interpreted by Roberts' criteria. There was no significant difference in the incidence of DVT between the treatment and placebo groups. In those with DVT (n = 23) the mean LAC on the day of operation was not significantly different from that in those without DVT. However, on the sixth and ninth postoperative days LAC levels were significantly lower in the DVT group. These results suggest that the administration of ascorbic acid preoperatively does not reduce the incidence of DVT, but a striking decrease in the LAC levels in the DVT patients is in keeping with the hypothesis that the initial event in the pathogenesis of DVT is adherence of leucocytes to the venous endothelium.

Ascorbic Acid Deficiency, Iron Overload and Alcohol Abuse Underlie the Severe Osteoporosis in Black African Patients with Hip Fractures — A Bone Histomorphometric Study

Osteoporosis and femoral neck fractures (FNF) are uncommon in black Africans although osteoporosis accompanying iron overload (from traditional beer brewed in iron containers) associated with ascorbic acid deficiency (oxidative catabolism by iron) has been described from sub-Saharan Africa. This study describes histomorphometric findings of iliac crest bone biopsies and serum biochemical markers of iron overload and of alcohol abuse and ascorbic acid levels in 50 black patients with FNFs (29 M, 21 F), age 62 years (40-95) years (median [min-max]), and in age- and gender-matched black controls. We found evidence of iron overload in 88% of patients and elevated markers of alcohol abuse in 72%. Significant correlations between markers of iron overload and of alcohol abuse reflect a close association between the two toxins. Patients had higher levels of iron markers, i.e., siderin deposits in bone marrow (P < 0.0001), chemical non-heme bone iron (P = 0.012), and serum ferritin (P = 0.017) than controls did. Leukocyte ascorbic acid levels were lower (P = 0.0008) than in controls. The alcohol marker mean red blood cell volume was elevated (P = 0.002) but not liver enzymes or uric acid. Bone volume, trabecular thickness, and trabecular number were lower, and trabecular separation was greater in patients than in controls, all at P < 0.0005; volume, surface, and thickness of osteoid were lower and eroded surface was greater, all at P < 0.0001. There was no osteomalacia. Ascorbic acid deficiency accounted significantly for decrease in bone volume and trabecular number, and increase in trabecular separation, osteoid surface, and eroded surface; iron overload accounted for a reduction in mineral apposition rate. Alcohol markers correlated negatively with osteoblast surface and positively with eroded surface. Relative to reported data in white FNF patients, the osteoporosis was more severe, showed lower osteoid variables and greater eroded surface; FNFs occurred 12 years earlier and were more common among men. We conclude that the osteoporosis underlying FNFs in black Africans is severe, with marked uncoupling of resorption and formation in favor of resorption. All three factors--ascorbic acid deficiency, iron overload, and alcohol abuse--contributed to the osteoporosis, in that order.

Carences en vitamine C

Background. – Hypovitaminosis C is frequent in populations at risk (men who live alone, old people, homelessness, patients with psychiatric diseases, foodfaddists,…) and is underestimated in the general population. Strong points. – Scurvy occurs after 3 months without consumption of ascorbic acid, and is due to lack of consumption fresh fruits and vegetables. Clinical manifestations are weakness, myalgia and arthralgia, vascular purpura and hemorrhagic syndrome, and later the stomatologic manifestations: gingivorragia and loss of teeth. Biological signs are nonspecific: anemia, hypocholesterolemia, hypoalbuminemia. Clinical suspicion must be confirmed by a low level of ascorbic acid (<2.5 mg/l), but this value needs to be interpretated according to the presence of an acute phase response. Leucocyte ascorbic acid level reflects total body store and is more reliable, but not available in practice. Treatment consists in administration of 1 g vitamin C per day during 15 days. Perspectives. – Vitamin C depletion (serum ascorbic acid level between 2 and 5 mg/l) may occur long-term complications such as increase cardiovascular and neoplasic risks or cataract. The new recommended dietary allowance of vitamine C (110 mg per day for an adult) takes into account of these risks.

Vitamin C: effects of exercise and requirements with training.

Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is involved in a number of biochemical pathways that are important to exercise metabolism and the health of exercising individuals. This review reports the results of studies investigating the requirement for vitamin C with exercise on the basis of dietary vitamin C intakes, the response to supplementation and alterations in plasma, serum, and leukocyte ascorbic acid concentration following both acute exercise and regular training. The possible physiological significance of changes in ascorbic acid with exercise is also addressed. Exercise generally causes a transient increase in circulating ascorbic acid in the hours following exercise, but a decline below pre-exercise levels occurs in the days after prolonged exercise. These changes could be associated with increased exercise-induced oxidative stress. On the basis of alterations in the concentration of ascorbic acid within the blood, it remains unclear if regular exercise increases the metabolism of vitamin C. However, the similar dietary intakes and responses to supplementation between athletes and nonathletes suggest that regular exercise does not increase the requirement for vitamin C in athletes. Two novel hypotheses are put forward to explain recent findings of attenuated levels of cortisol postexercise following supplementation with high doses of vitamin C.

Collagen synthesis during pregnancy, vitamin C availability, and risk of premature rupture of fetal membranes

Objective: To examine the relationship between plasma and leukocyte concentration of ascorbic acid and collagen type I propeptide C during pregnancy and subsequent premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Methods: Fifteen women with PROM and 26 controls were compared for plasma and leukocyte concentration of vitamin C and for Pro-C during pregnancy. Results: A statistically significant difference in maternal leukocyte ascorbic acid concentration was found between the two groups at week 28 of gestation (P50 was 16.90 for PROM group vs. 21.46 for control group; P>0.05). Increased risk for PROM (odds ratio, 10.99; 95% confidence interval, 2.40–49.91) was found with elevated concentrations of Pro-C at week 16 of gestation. Conclusions: A higher rate of collagen synthesis early in pregnancy was demonstrated in PROM cases. However, no correlation with ascorbic acid availability was found. This study supports the findings of others that collagen metabolism disturbances are associated with PROM.

Natural cytotoxic activity in seabream (Sparus aurata L.) and its modulation by vitamin C

Isolated gilthead seabream head-kidney leucocytes were incubated in a culture medium supplemented with vitamin C (from 0—control—to 2mg ml−1) or with a combination of different amounts of vitamin C (0·002 to 2mg ml−1) and vitamin E (0·01 to 10μg ml−1) for 6, 24 or 48h. Afterwards, the cellular ascorbic acid content and the natural cytotoxic activity of leucocytes were evaluated. Leucocyte ascorbic acid levels were enhanced after incubation for 6–24h with 0·2mg of vitamin C ml−1 and above. The natural cytotoxic activity of leucocytes after incubation with vitamin C was also increased for all the assayed concentrations and incubation times except in the case of the highest vitamin C concentration (2mg ml−1) and the longest incubation time (48h). No statistically significant differences in leucocyte cytotoxic activity were observed when vitamin E was added to the vitamin C, compared with the results of vitamin C alone.For the in vivo study, fish were fed diets supplemented with vitamin C (2·9g kg−1 diet) without or with vitamin E (1·2g of vitamin E kg−1 diet) for 2, 4 or 6 weeks. Serum lysozyme activity was enhanced to a statistically significant degree when fish were fed with the vitamin C+E supplemented diet for 2 weeks and with the vitamin C and vitamin C+E supplemented diets for 4 weeks. Both groups of fish showed a statistically significant increase in the natural cytotoxic activity of head-kidney leucocytes after 6 weeks of treatment although no differences were observed between treatments incorporating vitamin C alone or vitamin C combined with vitamin E.

Effect of transferrin polymorphism on the metabolism of vitamin C in Zimbabwean adults

Transferrin is the major iron binding protein in human plasma. In black persons, the transferrin CD phenotype has been associated with alterations in certain markers of iron status. We studied vitamin C status in a Zimbabwean population according to transferrin phenotype because vitamin C metabolism is influenced by iron-driven oxidative stress. The study population consisted of 150 black African adults, 90 of whom were at risk of iron overload on the basis of high dietary iron content in the form of traditional beer. Transferrin phenotypes, indirect measures of iron status, and leukocyte ascorbic acid concentrations were determined. The in vitro rate of L-ascorbic acid depletion in sera from different transferrin phenotypes was investigated. The transferrin phenotype frequencies of transferrin CC and CD were 0.893 and 0.107, respectively. The iron status of transferrin CC and CD subjects was similar. After adjustment for traditional beer consumption, baseline leukocyte vitamin C concentrations were significantly higher in 16 transferrin CD subjects ( +/- SE: 2.10 +/- 0.34 and 2.61 +/- 0.28 fmol/leukocyte in men and women, respectively) than in 134 transferrin CC subjects ( +/- SE: 1.65 +/- 0.11 and 1.99 +/- 0.11 fmol/leukocyte in men and women, respectively; P = 0.024). Oral administration of ascorbic acid (2.0 g every 24 h for 48 h) led to slower rises in leukocyte vitamin C concentrations in subjects with the transferrin CD phenotype than in subjects with the transferrin CC phenotype (P = 0.028). After in vitro supplementation of serum with 570 micromol vitamin C/L, the rate of L-ascorbic acid depletion was significantly lower in subjects of a transferrin CD phenotype than in subjects with the transferrin CC phenotype. Transferrin polymorphism may affect vitamin C status in blacks.

Determination of human plasma and leukocyte ascorbic acid by microtiter plate assay

Methods for analyzing ascorbic acid (AA) in human blood are often laborious, difficult, expensive, and require the use of large sample volumes. The lack of an inexpensive reliable method is particularly disconcerting for leukocyte analysis. We have overcome these concerns by developing a microtiter plate assay (MPA) to measure the AA dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) derivative (515 nm and 562 nm) in plasma or leukocytes. Plasma and leukocytes were isolated from whole blood by gradient sedimentation using Histopaque 1077 and 1119. The AA contribution from red blood cells was < 0.01%. The incubation time for AA DNPH derivative formation was reduced to 50% of the time used by investigators cited in previously published papers with no significant loss in recovery (for 2 hr incubation, > 90%). AA values by our MPA method using human subjects agreed with published values or when compared with standard spectophotometic assays. The advantages of the MPA assay over traditional methods are that it can handle small sample volumes and multiple samples simultaneously. In addition, the MPA method requires using smaller volumes of hazardous reagents and can be done in less time with less blood.

Leukocyte ascorbic acid during pregnancy. Seasonal variation in a tropical country

The present study was undertaken to establish if there was aeasonal variation in the leukocyte ascorbic acid levels in normal pregnant women from a tropical country. A prospective study was carried out in the Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia (INPer) in Mexico City in a group of 30 pregnant women that did not consume any vitamins supplements. Leukocyte ascorbic acid levels were determined by the Denson and Bowers technique. A 24 hour nutritional recall and a seven day freuency survey were used to evaluate the diet consumed. The presence of urinary infections as well as other type of infections were also investigated. A significant seasonal variation in the leukocyte ascorbic acid levels of these women was detected (p<0.05): the lowest levels were found from December to May and the highest were in June and July. No differences were observed in the monthly leukocyte counts. Variation of the fruit and vegetable intake depended on the availability of these products. An inverse linear relationship was found between the presence of infections and the leukocyte ascorbic acid levels.

Influence of vitamin C on the immune system of salmonids

Abstract. Trials were run to determine the immunomodulatory effect of dietary vitamin C in rainbow trout. Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), and Atlanticsalmon, Salmo Salar L. We first investigated whether depletion of ascorbic acid (AA) could depress the immune system. Subsequently, we focused our studies on the stimulatory effect of a high dietary dose of stable vitamin C derivatives (1000mg AA-equivalent per kg of feed) in order to determine their prophylactic role. Three trials were run with rainbow trout fed, for periods of time varying from 2 to 6 months, a high dietary dose of ascorbate-2-polyphosphate (AAPP) or L-ascorbate-2-monophosphate calcium salt (AAMP) equivalent to 1000mg AA per kg of feed. The high dietary level of vitamin C was compared to 60mg AA-equivalent per kg of feed. Another experiment was conducted with Atlantic salmon pre-fed AAPP at 60mg/kg for 6 months followed by AAPP at 1000mg/kg for 2 months. Various immune parameters were tested such as mitogen-induced proliferation, serum complement level, phagocytosis and natural cytotoxicity. Leucocyte and plasma AA contents were also determined. The immune response in vitamin-C deficient trout was not strongly different from that in trout fed the minimal growth requirement level. Serum complement level was not affected by vitamin C. A high dietary dose of vitamin C was found to increase trout and salmon leucocyte AA content, mitogen-induced proliferation of lymphocytes, and chemiluminescence response of leucocytes with a higher constancy, when the cells were stimulated with opsonized zymosan and with luminol as a substrate. Natural cytotoxicity was enhanced in trout fed a high dietary dose of vitamin C. The results of these immunity studies support supplementation levels of vitamin C which are much higher than the minimal requirement known to prevent deficiency symptoms and promote normal growth. Further investigations on the time-dose response are needed to define quantitatively the high dietary dose of vitamin C.

Vitamin C aspirin interactions in laboratory animals.

Ascorbic acid concentration has been determined in samples of plasma, leucocytes, urine, faeces and adrenal glands of guinea-pigs after administration of (i) 10, 25 or 100 mg ascorbic acid, (ii) 10 mg ascorbic acid plus 10, 25 or 50 mg aspirin and (iii) 25 mg aspirin and 25, 50 or 100 mg ascorbic acid. When the dose of aspirin was 25 mg or more, the transport of ascorbic acid into leucocytes was inhibited, the plasma concentration of vitamin C was elevated significantly and the excretion of ascorbic acid in the urine was increased in direct proportion to the aspirin dose. Ascorbic acid concentration in the adrenal glands was not significantly elevated after 3 h. When a constant dose of 25 mg of aspirin was given along with increasing doses of ascorbic acid both plasma and leucocyte ascorbic acid levels were elevated but not significantly after 2, 3 and 24 h. Urine ascorbic acid levels did not show any changes with the same doses.

Ascorbic acid status in diabetes mellitus

Glucose and ascorbic acid share a common transport mechanism in human leukocytes and fibroblasts. To test the hypothesis that chronic, prolonged hyperglycemia may be associated with intracellular deficiency of ascorbic acid, we have compared the plasma and leukocyte ascorbic acid levels of 57 ambulatory diabetic patients (30 females, 27 males) to those of control subjects matched for sex, age and smoking habits. All subjects were in a good nutritional state and were not taking vitamin supplements or drugs known to affect ascorbic acid levels. There was no significant difference in plasma and leukocyte ascorbic acid levels between the groups. However, leukocyte ascorbic acid levels tended to be lower in insulin-dependent diabetics than in controls or non-insulin dependent diabetics. In diabetics, plasma ascorbic acid levels were negatively correlated with the glycosylated hemoglobin fraction (p=0.07). In this study, the observations by others, that diabetics have deficient plasma and leukocyte ascorbic acid levels was not confirmed. However, both diabetics and controls had significantly higher plasma and leukocyte ascorbic acid levels than reported in other studies. This discrepancy can be explained by the high ascorbic acid content of the Israeli diet. The negative correlation between glycosylated hemoglobin fraction and plasma ascorbic acid levels suggests that poor glycemic control may contribute to deficient leukocyte and ascorbic acid levels of diabetic patients.

Seasonal and climatic variation in cholesterol and vitamin C: effect of vitamin C supplementation.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an important anti-oxidant which may help to reduce free radical damage and atheroma formation in blood vessels. In a study in which a group of healthy volunteer subjects were followed up for 12 months and a group of patients with vascular disease taking Vitamin C supplements were followed for 23 months, we confirmed previous findings of seasonal variations in ascorbic acid and cholesterol and have shown an inverse relationship between leucocyte ascorbic acid and serum cholesterol levels. In healthy control subjects the increase in ascorbate and fall in cholesterol during the summer months was reversed when the weather changed to a more winter pattern, presumably due to dietary alterations. We found that ascorbic acid levels were lower in patients with peripheral vascular disease and that although normal ascorbic acid levels were achieved with Vitamin C supplementation, when supplements were stopped at the height of a normal summer, there was a fall in ascorbic acid and a rise in serum cholesterol to winter levels. Given these findings we suggest that patients with vascular disease should have Vitamin C supplements throughout the year.

Reduced mononuclear leukocyte ascorbic acid content in adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus consuming adequate dietary vitamin C

Several recent studies suggest that vitamin C (ascorbic acid [AA]) status may be altered in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). We measured the AA content of mononuclear leukocytes (MM-AA) as an indicator of tissue vitamin C status in adults with IDDM and nondiabetic adults matched for age and sex. Dietary vitamin C intake and plasma AA were analyzed to ensure that vitamin C availability was adequate. Dietary vitamin C intakes were above recommendations and were not different between the groups. MN-AA was reduced by 33% on average ( P < .05) in adults with IDDM (1.75 μg/mg total protein [TP]) when compared with nondiabetics (2.60 μg/mg TP). When MN-AA is indexed to the dietary vitamin C intake ( MN-AA 100 mg diet C ), the storage deficit in adults with IDDM averages 50% ( P < .05). This observation suggests an impaired tissue AA storage in adults with IDDM and supports the theory that intracellular scurvy contributes to the chronic degenerative complications of the disease.

Smoking and the antioxidant ascorbic acid: Plasma, leukocyte, and cervicovaginal cell concentrations in normal healthy women

The influence of cigarette smoking on the plasma, leukocyte, and cervicovaginal cell ascorbic acid levels in 46 healthy smokers and healthy nonsmokers was investigated. Coded peripheral venous blood and cervicovaginal lavage specimens obtained after informed consent were analyzed simultaneously for their ascorbic acid content. The findings suggest that smoking affects the levels and distribution of ascorbic acid. In smokers (n = 16), the number of exfoliated cervicovaginal epithelial cells and leukocyte ascorbic acid levels was significantly higher (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively) compared with nonsmokers (n = 30). In addition, cervicovaginal cell ascorbic acid, plasma reduced and total ascorbic acid levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). The exfoliated epithelial cell ascorbic acid levels in nonsmokers was fourfold greater than that of leukocytes. The implications of these findings within the context of free radical-induced cellular pertubations in smokers are discussed.