Ascorbic Acid Supplementation Research Articles

Ascorbic Acid Supplementation During Endurance Training in Hypertensive Men: Effect on Catalase, Nitric Oxide and Blood Pressure

Objectives: The aim of this research was to study the influence of consuming ascorbic acid during high -intensity endurance training on catalase (CAT), nitric oxide (NO) concentration, and blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive male. Methods: 36 hypertensive male voluntary participated in the present study and randomly assigned into endurance training-ascorbic acid (HTC; n = 9), endurance training-placebo (HTP; n = 9), ascorbic acid (AA; n = 9) and control (n = 9). The exercise protocol was including continuous running exercise training with gradually increasing of duration and intensity, 3 times a week for 10 weeks. The supplement groups consumed daily 500 mg of ascorbic acid, and the placebo group consumed the same amount of maltodextrin. Fasting blood samples was gathered before the beginning exercise protocol and one day after last session for analyzing CAT and NO. Results: Results showed that activity of CAT and NO concentration were significantly increased only in the HTC and HTP (P ≤ 0.05). Also, in the HTP and HTC, a significant decrease observed in the systolic and diastolic (P ≤ 0.05). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference between HTC and HTP in SBP and DBP (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Finally, we concluded that, continuous running exercise training has positive effect on the catalase and oxide nitric activity, and can improve blood pressure in the hypertensive men. Anyway, combined the high -intensity aerobic training with ascorbic acid may have not more efficacy.

Does vitamin C supplementation improve rotator cuff healing? A preliminary study.

One of the complications after rotator cuff repair is a tendon non-healing. It has already been posited in the literature that vitamin C (VC) promotes tendon healing through its antioxidant properties and its role as a cofactor in collagen synthesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of postoperative VC supplementation on the tendon healing following repair. This randomized monocentric prospective study included 98 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in 1-year period and follow-up ultrasound 6months postoperatively. The cohort was divided into two groups: the VC+ group (500mg/day PO for 45days postoperatively) and the VC- group (no supplementation). The evaluation criterion was tendon healing at 6months postoperatively according to the Sugaya ultrasound classification. Preoperative and postoperative clinical evaluations were based on active mobilities, the Constant score and the subjective shoulder value. There was no difference in term of postoperative outcomes between the two groups. At an average follow-up of 6.3months, the non-healing rate in the overall population was 17%. This rate was higher in VC- compared to VC+, respectively, 23% vs. 11%), p = 0.2. This study showed a trend to improve tendon healing after rotator cuff repair with VC supplementation. However, a prospective study with a larger patient population should be conducted to confirm this finding.

Intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen, and mineral balance of water-restricted Xhosa goats supplemented with vitamin C

Abstract The study objective was to evaluate the effect of single and/or extra doses of vitamin C (VC) on water-restricted (WR) Xhosa goats, by evaluating their intake, digestibility, nitrogen, and mineral balance during summer. Goats (42) were randomly divided into seven groups: GI (control, received ad libitum water daily), GII (WR-70% of ad lib.), GIII (WR-50% of ad lib.), GIV (WR-70% of ad lib. + VC [3 g/day orally]), GV (WR-50% of ad lib. + VC [3 g/day orally]), GVI (WR-70% of ad lib. + VC [3 g/day orally + 5 g extras every eighth day]), and GVII (WR-50% of ad lib. + VC [3 g/day orally + 5 g extras on every eighth day]). The experiment was a complete randomized design. Data obtained were analysed using the general linear model (PROC GLM) of SAS procedure. The depression in nutrients intake was lessened with VC supplementation. Water-restriction effect was not significant on nutrient intake/metabolic weight. Retained nitrogen increased with water-restriction levels but not influenced by VC. NH3–N significantly decreased as the level of water restriction increases, while the pH was similar across the WR groups. Supplementation of VC failed to significantly influence the depression in apparent digestibility and digestible nutrients induced by water restriction levels. The retained Ca, K, and Mg increased with levels of water restriction.

Ameliorating effect of ascorbic acid on fenvalerate induced ultrastructural changes in scales, erythrocytes and gills of Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes, 1844).

Fenvalerate (type II synthetic pyrethroid), widely used in agricultural practices, find its way into aquatic ecosystem through air, by runoff, or by percolation to groundwater. It is an extremely toxic insecticide for aquatic organisms especially fish. In the present study, the fenvalerate (FEN) induced toxicity and the protective efficacy of ascorbic acid (AA) against FEN in Ctenopharyngodon idella was evaluated by studying the structural alterations in scales, erythrocytes and gills. The fishes were exposed to 1.2 μg/L and 2 μg/L of FEN and orally administered with 1000 mg/kg diet of AA. The fishes were scrutinized on 15th, 30th and 60th day of experiment. Scanning electron microscopic studies (SEM) of FEN-treated fish revealed extensive morphological alterations on the microstructure of scales including deformed focus, uprooted lepidonts and tubercles, hole formation and worn out calcareous material from the surface. FEN intoxication induced severe damage on erythrocytes including formation of dacrocytes, serrated spherocytes, echinocytes with oozed out cytoplasmic content, contracted plasma membrane and appearance of lobopodial projections. Ultrastructural studies in gills declared profound lesions in the form of aneurysm, loss of secondary lamellae and destructed microstructures of pavement cells. On the other hand, supplementation of AA in diet mitigated the impairment provoked by FEN on the scales, erythrocytes and gills due to its antioxidant properties.

Effects of dietary L‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate on growth performance, haematological parameters, biochemical characteristics, and skeletal features of juvenile hybrid grouper (♀Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂E. lanceolatus)

A 14-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of dietary L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate on the growth performance, haematological parameters, biochemical characteristics, and skeletal features of juvenile hybrid grouper (♀Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂E. lanceolatus). Eight experimental diets containing graded vitamin C (VC) levels (0, 18, 45, 78, 144, 245, 386, and 762 mg/kg) were prepared and fed to triplicate groups of fish (initial body weight: 10.41 ± 0.06 g). The final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rates, and fish survival increased when fed with diets supplemented with VC regardless of the supplementation level. Total feed intake reduction was observed in fish fed non-VC diet. Whereas no significant differences were detected in the feed conversion ratios and protein efficiency ratios among fish treatments. The hepatic VC concentration was positively correlated with dietary VC supplementation and reached a plateau when supplemented with more than 386 mg/kg diet. Higher total protein and alkaline phosphatase levels in blood serum and incidence of skeletal deformities were recorded in the fish fed with a control diet compared to other treatments. The results indicate that adding 18 mg/kg of VC is optimum and further increase does not provide any significant benefit to fish growth and health.

English

Salinity stress negatively affects key physiological phenomena in plants while plants show great variability and respond differentially for tolerance to salt stress. Usually, nutrients imbalances affect specific plant tissues and physiological processes which are requisite for normal plant growth and development. The aim of this two-year (2017 and 2018) simulated field study was to investigate phenotypic plasticity for growth, relative leaf water content (RLWC) and nutrient status in milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.] ecotypes and the potential role of soil supplementation with pre-optimized levels of plant growth promoters (PGPs) in modulating these attributes under control and salinity (12 dS/m) stress. Four ecotypes of milk thistle were collected from three ecologically distinct zones including Faisalabad (FSD) and Kalar Kahar (KK) – semi-arid zone, Gujranwala (GUJ) – hot semi-arid zone and Quetta (QTA) – cool semi-arid zone. The studied nutrients were nitrate-N, phosphate-P, sulfate-S, sodium (Na), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca). The soil supplemented PGPs, applied with irrigation water, were ascorbic acid (AsA), thiourea (TU) and moringa leaf extract (MLE) at 250 μM, 500 μM and 3%, respectively of soil moisture content at field capacity. Results indicated that soil supplementation of PGPs in the field conditions is a feasible approach for enhancing nutrient uptake of milk thistle ecotypes under salt stress, while the effect of salinity stress restricted the uptake of the studied nutrients and caused their imbalance. Although the salinity stress reduced shoot and root dry matter, RLWC and restricted the uptake of these nutrients irrespective of ecotypes, the levels of nitrate-N, phosphate-P, K, sulfate-S, Ca, and RWC contents increased more with the soil supplementation of AsA followed by MLE as compared to other soil supplements in both the study years. Among the ecotypes, QTA followed by KK and FSD ecotypes gained more dry weight with greater leaf RWC and higher tissue nutrient contents due to PGPs under salt stress. The principal component analysis and correlation data revealed the existence of distinct phenotypic plasticity in the milk thistle ecotypes for nutrient acquisition with soil supplementation of PGPs under salinity stress. To conclude, ecotypes from QTA and KK were more promising than the others while AsA and MLE were better soil supplements in improving shoot and root nutrients under salt stress. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

Two Faces of Vitamin C in Hemodialysis Patients: Relation to Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.

Hemodialysis (HD) is the most common method of renal replacement therapy. Besides toxins, it eliminates nutrients from the circulation, such as ascorbic acid (AA). HD-patients present AA deficiency more often than representatives of the general population, also due to dietary restrictions. This condition aggravates oxidative stress and inflammation related to uremia and extracorporeal circulation and increases cardiovascular risk followed by mortality. Supplementation of AA seems to be a promising approach in the treatment of hemodialysis patients. Many successful interventions restored plasma AA concentration in HD patients by enteral or intravenous supplementation, concomitantly inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. A significant number of studies reported opposite, serious pro-oxidant effects of AA. In this narrative review, we present studies, commenting on their limitations; on AA plasma or serum concentration and the influence of its supplementation on protein and lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, reactive oxygen species generation, paraoxonase activity, advanced glycation endproducts, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration. Moreover, in terms of safety, the possible development of oxalosis in HD patients regarding the intravenous or enteral route of AA administration is discussed. Unequivocal clinical results of recent studies on hemodialysis patients are displayed.

Examining sex differences in sitting-induced microvascular dysfunction: Insight from acute vitamin C supplementation

PurposeLower limb microvascular dysfunction resulting from prolonged sitting (PS) bouts has been revealed to occur independent of sex. Although acute antioxidant supplementation has been reported to blunt conduit artery dysfunction following PS in young males, it is unknown if this protective effect extends to the microvasculature or is relevant in young females, who possess intrinsic vascular protective mechanisms specific to antioxidant defense. Therefore, this study employed an acute antioxidant supplementation to further examine sex differences during PS with a specific focus on microvascular function. MethodsOn two separate visits, 14 females (23 ± 3 years) and 12 males (25 ± 4 years) had leg microvascular function (LMVF) assessed (via the passive leg movement technique) before and after 1.5 h of sitting. Prior to each visit, one gram of vitamin C (VC) or placebo (PL) was consumed. ResultsPS significantly reduced LMVF [PL: (M: −34 ± 20; F: −23 ± 18%; p < 0.01) independent of sex (p = 0.7)], but the VC condition only blunted this reduction in males (VC: −3 ± 20%; p < 0.01), but not females (VC: −18 ± 25%; p = 0.5). ConclusionYoung males and females reported similar reductions LMVF following PS, but only the young males reported a preservation of LMVF following the VC supplementation. This finding in young females was highlighted by substantial variability in LMVF measures in response to the VC condition that was unrelated to changes in the potential contributors to sitting-induced reductions in LMVF (e.g. lower limb venous pooling, reduced arterial shear rate). New and noteworthyIn this study, we employed an acute Vitamin C (VC) supplementation to examine sex differences in leg microvascular function (LMVF) following a bout of prolonged sitting. This study revealed that prolonged sitting reduced LMVF independent of sex, but only young males reported an attenuation to this lowered LMVF following VC supplementation. The young females revealed substantial variability in sitting-induced changes to LMVF that could not be explained by the potential contributors to sitting-induced reductions in LMVF (e.g. lower limb venous pooling, reduced arterial shear rate).

Biochemical Parameter Derangement in Commercial Broilers during Heat Stress and Their Mitigation using Ascorbic Acid Supplementation

Biochemical Parameter Derangement in Commercial Broilers during Heat Stress and Their Mitigation using Ascorbic Acid Supplementation

Upregulation of Vitamin C Transporter Functional Expression in 5xFAD Mouse Intestine.

The process of obtaining ascorbic acid (AA) via intestinal absorption and blood circulation is carrier-mediated utilizing the AA transporters SVCT1 and SVCT2, which are expressed in the intestine and brain (SVCT2 in abundance). AA concentration is decreased in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but information regarding the status of intestinal AA uptake in the AD is still lacking. We aimed here to understand how AA homeostasis is modulated in a transgenic mouse model (5xFAD) of AD. AA levels in serum from 5xFAD mice were markedly lower than controls. Expression of oxidative stress response genes (glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)) were significantly increased in AD mice jejunum, and this increase was mitigated by AA supplementation. Uptake of AA in the jejunum was upregulated. This increased AA transport was caused by a marked increase in SVCT1 and SVCT2 protein, mRNA, and heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) expression. A significant increase in the expression of HNF1α and specific protein 1 (Sp1), which drive SLC23A1 and SLC23A2 promoter activity, respectively, was observed. Expression of hSVCT interacting proteins GRHPR and CLSTN3 were also increased. SVCT2 protein and mRNA expression in the hippocampus of 5xFAD mice was not altered. Together, these investigations reveal adaptive up-regulation of intestinal AA uptake in the 5xFAD mouse model.

Effect of High-Dose Zinc and Ascorbic Acid Supplementation vs Usual Care on Symptom Length and Reduction Among Ambulatory Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection

There is limited evidence regarding early treatment of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to mitigate symptom progression. To examine whether high-dose zinc and/or high-dose ascorbic acid reduce the severity or duration of symptoms compared with usual care among ambulatory patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. This multicenter, single health system randomized clinical factorial open-label trial enrolled 214 adult patients with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed with a polymerase chain reaction assay who received outpatient care in sites in Ohio and Florida. The trial was conducted from April 27, 2020, to October 14, 2020. Patients were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 allocation ratio to receive either 10 days of zinc gluconate (50 mg), ascorbic acid (8000 mg), both agents, or standard of care. The primary end point was the number of days required to reach a 50% reduction in symptoms, including severity of fever, cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue (rated on a 4-point scale for each symptom). Secondary end points included days required to reach a total symptom severity score of 0, cumulative severity score at day 5, hospitalizations, deaths, adjunctive prescribed medications, and adverse effects of the study supplements. A total of 214 patients were randomized, with a mean (SD) age of 45.2 (14.6) years and 132 (61.7%) women. The study was stopped for a low conditional power for benefit with no significant difference among the 4 groups for the primary end point. Patients who received usual care without supplementation achieved a 50% reduction in symptoms at a mean (SD) of 6.7 (4.4) days compared with 5.5 (3.7) days for the ascorbic acid group, 5.9 (4.9) days for the zinc gluconate group, and 5.5 (3.4) days for the group receiving both (overall P = .45). There was no significant difference in secondary outcomes among the treatment groups. In this randomized clinical trial of ambulatory patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection, treatment with high-dose zinc gluconate, ascorbic acid, or a combination of the 2 supplements did not significantly decrease the duration of symptoms compared with standard of care. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04342728.

Developmental retardation in neonates of aldehyde reductase (AKR1A)-deficient mice is associated with low ascorbic acid and high corticosterone levels

Aldehyde reductase encoded by the Akr1a gene catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of a variety of aldehyde compounds, and it plays a role in the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid (AsA) by converting D-glucuronate to L-gulonate. Although supplementing drinking water with AsA (1.5 mg/mL) ameliorates the fertility of Akr1a−/− (KO) female mice, litter sizes in the KO mice are typically smaller than those for Akr1a+/+ (WT) mice, and about one-third of the neonates have a reduced stature. Half of the neonates in the smallest, developmentally retarded group died before weaning, and the remaining half (less than 6 g in weight) also barely grew to adulthood. While no difference was found in the number of fetuses between the KO and WT mice at 14.5-embryonic days, the sizes of the KO fetuses had already diverged. Among the organs of these retarded KO neonates at 30 d, the spleen and thymus were characteristically small. While an examination of spleen cells showed the normal proportion of immune cells, apoptotic cell death was increased in the thymus, which would lead to thymic atrophy in the retarded KO neonates. Plasma AsA levels were lower in the small neonates despite the fact that their mothers had received sufficient AsA supplementation, and the corticosterone levels were inversely higher compared to wild-type mice. Thus, insufficient AsA contents together with a defect in corticosterone metabolism might be the cause of the retarded growth of the AKR1A-deficient mice embryos and neonates.

Bleeding tendency and ascorbic acid requirements: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

The World Health Organization set the recommended daily vitamin C intake, henceforth referred to as ascorbic acid (AA), on the basis of scurvy prevention. Double-blind AA depletion-repletion studies suggest that this recommended AA dose may be too low to prevent microvascular fragility. (1) To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials on whether AA supplementation leads to a reduced gingival bleeding tendency, a manifestation of microvascular fragility; and (2) to relate AA plasma levels to retinal hemorrhaging, another manifestation of microvascular fragility. Data were reviewed from 15 trials conducted in 6 countries with 1140 predominantly healthy participants with measures of gingival bleeding tendency, and from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III of 8210 US residents with measures of retinal hemorrhaging. In clinical trials, AA supplementation reduced gingival bleeding tendency when estimated baseline AA plasma levels were < 28 μmol/L (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.83; 95%CI, -1.16 to -0.49; P < 0.002). Supplementation with AA did not unequivocally reduce gingival bleeding tendency when baseline estimated AA plasma levels were >48 μmol/L or unknown (respective standardized mean differences: -0.23, 95%CI, -0.45 to -0.01, P < 0.05; and -0.56; 95%CI: -1.19 to 0.06, P < 0.08). In NHANES III, prevalence of both retinal hemorrhaging and gingival bleeding tendency increased when AA plasma levels were within the range that protects against scurvy (11-28 μmol/L; respective prevalence ratios adjusted for age and sex: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.22-1.77; and 1.64; 95%CI: 1.32-2.03; P < 0.001 for both). Consistent evidence from controlled clinical trials indicates that setting human AA requirements based on scurvy prevention leads to AA plasma levels that may be too low to prevent an increased gingival bleeding tendency. Gingival bleeding tendency and retinal hemorrhaging coincide with low AA plasma levels and thus may be reflective of a systemic microvascular pathology that is reversible with an increased daily AA intake.

Effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on the performance of growing pullets

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the nutritional effects of supplementary ascorbic acid (AA) at levels of 0, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg in the diets of growing pullets reared at different seasons (dry season and rainy season).240 eight weeks-old Harco pullet chicks were used in each trial, they were randomly assigned to each of the four dietary treatments in three replications of twenty chicks per replicate. Each trial lasted 12 weeks (84 days) during which data were collected and a 2 X 4 factorial arrangement was employed in the analysis of data collected. Both ascorbic acid and season significantly affected (P&lt;0.05) growth rate with better growth rate reported in the dry season. Body weights at first lay exhibited a linear reduction with increasing concentration of ascorbic acid (P&lt;0.05). Seasonal variation significantly affected (P&lt;0.05) age and egg weight at first lay with higher values obtained in the rainy season. The cost-benefit analysis of supplementary ascorbic acid in the diet of experimental birds revealed that inclusion of the graded levels of ascorbic acid increased the cost of feed in a linear fashion across the dietary treatments. At the growing stage, cost of feed per kg weight gain was found to be lowest in birds fed 0 mg/kg AA. It was evident that at the growing stage, optimum response occurred with supplementation of 300 mg/kg AA.

Effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on immune status in healthy women following a single bout of exercise

This study was designed to determine the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation on immune status following a single bout of exercise. In a crossover design, 20 healthy sedentary women performed 30 min moderate-intensity cycling with (1000AA) or without (0AA) ingesting 1000 mg of AA daily for 1 week. Blood samples were taken immediately before, immediately after and 24 h post-exercise to determine the oxidative stress markers, immunophenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes and neutrophil phagocytic function. Moderate-intensity exercise in participants ranged in age from 21 to 23 years, showed no significant changes in oxidative stress markers in both cohorts. Plasma total creatine kinase was increased immediately after exercise and returned to baseline at 24 h post-exercise in both cohorts. Participants ingesting 1000 mg AA demonstrated significant higher level of plasma AA at pre-exercise and post-exercise as compared with the same time point in 0AA group. White blood cell and absolute neutrophil counts were increased immediately after exercise in both cohorts. Exercise resulted in increased lymphocyte count, CD4 + and CD8 + T cell counts immediately after exercise (p < 0.05) in 0AA group. AA supplement mitigated effects of exercise on CD4 + T cells. No significant change in neutrophil phagocytic function were observed when incubated with low or high concentrations of Candida albicans in both cohorts. These results suggested that a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise caused muscle injury with increased absolute CD4 + and CD8 + T cell counts, accompanied by a transient increase in neutrophil count, while their phagocytic function was not changed. However, a short-term AA supplementation does not show beneficial effects on exercise-induced changes in leukocyte subpopulations.

Ameliorative effects of betaine and ascorbic acid on endocrine and erythrocytic parameters of sexually-maturing female Japanese quails during the dry season.

This study investigated the ameliorative effects of betaine and ascorbic acid on some endocrine and erythrocytic parameters in female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared during the dry season. A total of 372 fourteen- day-old female quails sourced commercially was kept in cages for 56 days. After seven days acclimation, all birds were weighed and allotted by complete random design to four groups with 3 replicates per group. Every group having 93 quails, comprised of 31 birds per replicate. Experimental groups were birds fed: Control (basal); ascorbic acid (AA), at 200mg/Kg; betaine (BET) at 2g/kg and combination of AA (200mg/Kg)+BET (2g/kg) of diets. Daily dry-bulb temperature (DBT), relative humidity (RH) and temperature-humidity index (THI) measured at 08:00h, 13:00h and 17:00h fluctuated widely and exceeded the zone of thermal comfort for Japanese quails. Serum levels of catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), cortisol, sex hormones (luteinizing hormone, LH and estradiol) and erythrocyte parameters (packed cell volume, PCV; red blood count, RBC; haemoglobin concentration, Hb; mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin (MCH) were obtained at 28, 49 and 70 days of age. In female quails, AA±BET increased (P<0.05) CAT and GSH, but decreased (P<0.05) cortisol levels when compared with control values at varying ages. There were higher (P<0.05) values of LH in quails fed dietary AA+BET (28 and 49 day-old) and estradiol in those which consumed either BET or AA+BET (28, 49 and 70 day-old) and AA (at 70 day-old). At 49 day-old, either BET or AA+BET increased (P<0.05) RBC count, but lowered (P<0.05) MCV and MCH. In conclusion, betaine and ascorbic acid supplementation improved activities of serum sex and stress hormones, and erythrocytic parameters of Japanese quails during the dry season.

Antioxidative role of dietary ascorbic acid against arsenic induced haematological, biochemical and histomorphological alterations in Cyprinus carpio

The current study investigated the antioxidant potential of ascorbic acid to counteract arsenic induced toxic response in Cyprinus carpio. The 96 h LC50 of 107.05 mg L−1 was recorded through acute toxicity test and 1/5th and 1/10th LC50 of arsenic were chosen as sublethal concentrations for assessing toxicity induced through arsenic exposure in fish for a period of 28 days. There were six experimental groups for sublethal toxicity testing viz. negative control (basal feed), positive control (basal feed + 1 g kg−1 diet ascorbic acid), 1/5th LC50 Arsenic, 1/10th LC50 Arsenic, 1/5th LC50 Arsenic with ascorbic acid supplement, 1/10th LC50 Arsenic with ascorbic acid supplement. Following exposure, blood indices, antioxidant enzyme activity and histomorphology of gills, liver and kidney were examined. The results showed decreased total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin, haematocrit and an increased total leukocyte count upon arsenic exposure in fish with an improvement observed in the blood indices in arsenic with ascorbic acid supplementation. The study also analysed the antioxidant enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase which was found to decline in response to arsenic exposure with an increase in their activity recorded in arsenic with ascorbic acid supplemented fish. Furthermore, uptake of arsenic was also found to decrease on ascorbic acid supplementation with improvement in the histoarchitecture of gills, liver and kidney of fish. Collectively, the findings of the present study suggest the effectiveness of ascorbic acid as an ameliorating agent against the deleterious effects of arsenic in fish.

EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL ASCORBIC ACID AND DISTURBANCE STRESS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS

The study was conducted with four hundred day-old Anak broilers to determine the effects of dietary Ascorbic acid (AA) and disturbance (D) stress on the performance of broiler chickens in a tropical environment. There were four treatments consisting of two levels of disturbance (ID) and (4D) and two levels of dietary AA (0 and 250mgAA/kg feed). Each treatment was replicated four times with 25 chicks per replicate. The starter and finisher diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Results showed that there were no significant interactions between dietary ascorbic acid supplementation and disturbance stress levels on any of the performance data considered. The disturbance stress had no significant effects on most of the measured parameters. However, there was # 35% increase in mortality rate as disturbance stress level increased from D to 4D. The dietary ascorbic acid supplementation level had no significant effect on feed intake and weight gain. Feed conversion ratios were significantly improved with AA supplementation during the starter phase only. Dietary AA supplementation also had a 90% reduction in mortality of chicks compared with the supplemented group. Likewise AA inclusion in diets had a feed cost advantage. It may be concluded that disturbance induced stress increased mortality and lowered performance. However these effects were relieved by dietary AA supplementation.

Vitamin C Could Prevent Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I in Trauma and Orthopedic Care? A Systematic Review of the Literature and Current Findings.

The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy of Vitamin C (VC) in preventing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type I (CRPS-I) in fractures or surgery of the upper and lower extremities.During December 2020, Scopus and PubMed search was performed to analyze VC supplementation in preventing CRPS-I after trauma and orthopedic care, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, Study Design model, and a modified version of the Coleman Methodology Score were used to analyze the included studies. The research was limited from 1990 to December 2020. Initial screening results identified 649 studies. After reviewing each study, six clinical studies were included in the study.A total of 2026 patients of whom 632 male and 1394 female were collected in our systematic review. During the entire follow-up period, the occurrence of CRPS-I was evaluated in 1939 patients. Five of the six analyzed studies were favoring prophylactic use of the 500-1000 mg daily dose of VC for 45-50 days after orthopedic or trauma care for prevention of CRPS-I. Only one study found no benefit in VC supplementation compared with placebo to prevent CRPS-I.Analysis of the literature suggests that a daily 500-1000 mg VC supplementation may reduce the onset of CRPS-I in trauma of upper/lower extremities and in orthopedic surgery.

Dietary ascorbic acid and betaine improve stress responses, testosterone levels and some sexual traits in male Japanese quails during the dry season

Abstract The experiment investigated the effects of dietary ascorbic acid and betaine stress responses, serum testosterone levels, and some sexual traits in male Japanese quails during the dry season. A total of 240 male Japanese quails (14 days old) were used and randomly assigned to four groups, each group has three replicates (n = 20). Birds in treatment groups were fed ascorbic acid (AA); betaine (BET); and AA + BET in their diets, whereas the control birds were fed only basal diet. Environmental conditions were predominantly outside thermoneutral zone for Japanese quails. Dietary AA ± BET increased (p &lt; .05) serum catalase, reduced glutathione and testosterone, but lowered (p &lt; .05) cortisol levels when compared with control group. Supplemental AA, BET, or AA + BET enhanced (p &lt; .05) cloacal gland size and sexual traits. In conclusion, dietary AA and BET improved stress responses, serum testosterone levels, and some sexual traits in male Japanese quails during the dry season.