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High-dose intravenous vitamin C is not associated with an increase of pro-oxidative biomarkers

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 58, pages 1151–1158 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: High-dose vitamin C therapy might mediate beneficial clinical effects by counteracting reactive oxygen species. However, concerns are raised whether this approach might provoke diametrical (ie pro-oxidative) effects. The objective was to determine ascorbyl free radical (AFR) concentrations and potential variables of pro-oxidative damage.

Design: Crossover study; six healthy males received daily infusions of 750 or 7500 mg vitamin C for six consecutive days. Fasting concentrations of vitamin C and AFR were determined daily. On day 1, concentrations of vitamin C and AFR were measured at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 h post infusion. Plasma concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), tocopherol and urine concentrations of 8-oxoguanosine were determined on days 1 and 6.

Results: Kinetic studies on day 1 showed that concentrations of vitamin C and AFR displayed parallel dose- and time-dependent kinetics and elimination was highly efficient. Vitamin C and AFR fasting concentrations on days 2–6 were slightly above the baseline, suggesting new, stable steady states. TBARS decreased in both groups, whereas tocopherol and 8-oxoguanosine concentrations remained unchanged.

Conclusion: Kinetics of AFR largely depend on plasma vitamin C concentrations and AFR is eliminated efficiently. Our data do not support induction of pro-oxidative effects in healthy volunteers given intravenous high-dose vitamin C.

Sponsorship: Pascoe Pharmazeutische Präparate GmbH, Gießen, Germany.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Pascoe Pharmazeutische Präparate GmbH, Gießen, Germany. Data were presented at Nutrition Week 2002 in San Diego, CA and published in abstract form in Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 75: 2(S) A228 abstr (2002).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology at Katharinenhospital, Stuttgart, Germany

    A Mühlhöfer & W G Zoller

  2. Department of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany

    S Mrosek, B Schlegel & HK Biesalski

  3. Department of Biochemistry, University of Kaiserslautern, Germany

    W Trommer & F Rozario

  4. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt / Main, Germany

    H Böhles

  5. GKM Gesellschaft für Therapieforschung mbH, München, Germany

    D Schremmer

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  1. A Mühlhöfer
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Contributions

Guarantor: HK Biesalski.

Contributors: Andreas Mühlhöfer: conception, conduct of the clinical experiment, interpretation of data, writing; Silke Mrosek: conduct and organization of the clinical experiment, measurement of variables such as vitamin C, TBARS, vitamin E, interpretation of data; this work is part of her diploma thesis; Beate Schlegel: conduct and organization of the clinical experiment, interpretation of data, writing; Wolfgang Trommer, Fabio Rozario: measurement of AFR; Hansjosef Böhles: measurement of 8-oxoguanosin; Dieter Schremmer: statistical analysis; Wolfram G. Zoller: conduct and organization of the clinical experiment, interpretation of data; Hans K. Biesalski: conception, design of the clinical experiment, interpretation of data, writing; funding by Pharmaforschungs GmbH, Gieβen.

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Correspondence to HK Biesalski.

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Mühlhöfer, A., Mrosek, S., Schlegel, B. et al. High-dose intravenous vitamin C is not associated with an increase of pro-oxidative biomarkers. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 1151–1158 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601943

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