Vitamin C Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Vitamin C, including details on benefits, dosage, supplements, information.

The influence of vitamin C on systemic markers of endothelial and inflammatory cell activation in smokers and non-smokers.

Scott DA, Poston RN, Wilson RF, Coward PY, Palmer RM

Periodontics, Endodontics and Dental Hygiene, School of Dentistry, University of Louisville, 501 South Preston, Louisville, KY 40202, USA. dascot07@louisville.edu

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To determine the influence of vitamin C supplementation (500 mg, bd, 14 days) on the circulating concentrations of soluble ICAM-1 (a marker of endothelial activation), neopterin (a marker of monocyte activation), and neutrophil elastase (a marker of neutrophil activation) in smokers and non-smokers in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in a hospital setting. SUBJECTS: Twenty smokers (serum cotinine > or = 20 ng ml(-1)) and 20 age- and gender-matched non-smokers (serum cotinine < or = 13.7 ng ml(-1)). RESULTS: At baseline, there was a significant elevation in the concentration of sICAM-1 in smokers (median 247, IQR 199 to 357 ng ml(-1)) compared to non-smokers (median 207, IQR 189 to 227 ng ml(-1); p = 0.014). Vitamin C supplementation did not influence the circulating concentrations of ICAM-1 or neopterin, or leukocyte elastase activity, in smokers, non-smokers, or in the total population. CONCLUSIONS: Markers of monocyte and neutrophil activation were not influenced by smoking status in this study population. However, sICAM-1 concentrations were significantly elevated in tobacco smokers, reflecting tobacco-induced vascular activation that is unaffected by Vitamin C supplementation.

Published 10 May 2005 in Inflamm Res, 54(3): 138-44.
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