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Ascorbic Acid (Ascorbic Acid) - Summary

 
 



ASCORBIC ACID SUMMARY

Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) is a water-soluble vitamin. It occurs as a white or slightly yellow crystal or powder with a slight acidic taste. It is an antiscorbutic product. On exposure to air and light it gradually darkens. In the dry state it is reasonably stable in air, but in solution it rapidly oxidizes. Ascorbic Acid is freely soluble in water; sparingly soluble in alcohol; insoluble in chloroform, ether, and benzene.

ASCORBIC ACID is indicated for the following:

Ascorbic acid is recommended for the prevention and treatment of scurvy. Its parenteral administration is desirable for patients with an acute deficiency or for those whose absorption of orally ingested ascorbic acid is uncertain.

Symptoms of mild deficiency may include faulty bone and tooth development, gingivitis, bleeding gums, and loosened teeth. Febrile states, chronic illness, and infection (pneumonia, whooping cough, tuberculosis, diphtheria, sinusitis, rheumatic fever, etc.) increase the need for ascorbic acid.


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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Ascorbic Acid

A randomized controlled trial evaluating a new 2-L PEG solution plus ascorbic acid vs 4-L PEG for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy. [2011.11.23]
BACKGROUND: Bowel preparation is critical for the efficacy and safety of colonoscopy. Poor patient tolerance to bowel preparation has been associated with the high amount of fluid administered. A 2-L polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution containing ascorbic acid has been recently developed. AIMS: To compare the efficacy, safety and acceptability of 2-L PEG+ascorbic acid vs 4-L PEG for colonoscopy... CONCLUSIONS: 2-L PEG+ascorbic acid, completed with an additional L of clear fluids, provided a bowel cleansing appeared to be more effective and acceptable than 4-L PEG. Copyright (c) 2011 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High dose ascorbic acid does not reverse central sympathetic overactivity in chronic heart failure. [2011.10]
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: The increased central sympathetic activity typically associated with chronic heart failure (CHF) is probably mediated by formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain. Our objective was to undertake a trial to test our hypothesis that administration of the well-known antioxidant and ROS scavenger ascorbic acid, would reverse or reduce the sympathetic overactivity in CHF patients... CONCLUSION: Short-term administration of the antioxidant ascorbic acid in CHF patients does not reverse the increased sympathetic activity as measured by microneurography, HRV and plasma norepinephrine levels. The use of higher oral dosages seems not feasible due to accompanying side effects. (c) 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Effect of ascorbic acid on inflammatory markers after cardiothoracic surgery. [2011.09.01]
PURPOSE: The effect of ascorbic acid on inflammatory markers after cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) was studied... CONCLUSION: Ascorbic acid did not attenuate the rise in inflammatory markers after CTS when compared with placebo. The use of off-pump surgery did not significantly change the levels of CRP and fibrinogen or the WBC count postoperatively when compared with on-pump surgery with a biocompatible polymer coating.

Randomized placebo-controlled trial of guava juice as a source of ascorbic acid to reduce iron deficiency in Tarahumara indigenous schoolchildren of northern Mexico. [2011.06]
OBJECTIVE: Assess the efficacy of a 10-week consumption of guava juice on the iron status of children with mild iron deficiency anemia... CONCLUSION: Guava juice providing 200 mg AA at one meal on each school day had a marginal effect on Hb and PF concentrations in children consuming high-phytate diets fortified with iron.

Ascorbic acid in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT-TRIAAL and CMT-TRAUK): a double-blind randomised trial. [2011.04]
BACKGROUND: Ascorbic acid reduced the severity of neuropathy in transgenic mice overexpressing peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22), a model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) associated with the PMP22 duplication. However, in three 1-year trials, ascorbic acid had no benefit in human beings. We did a multicentre 2-year trial to test the efficacy and tolerability of ascorbic acid in patients with CMT1A... INTERPRETATION: Ascorbic acid supplementation had no significant effect on neuropathy compared with placebo after 2 years, suggesting that no evidence is available to support treatment with ascorbic acid in adults with CMT1A. FUNDING: Telethon-UILDM and AIFA (Italian Medicines Agency) for CMT-TRIAAL, and Muscular Dystrophy Campaign for CMT-TRAUK. Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Clinical Trials Related to Ascorbic Acid

Ascorbic Acid Treatment in CMT1A Trial (AATIC) [Completed]
Charcot-Marie-Tooth type IA (CMT1A) is the most prevalent hereditary peripheral neuropathy. Demyelination of peripheral nerves is the hallmark of CMT1A. Ascorbic acid has been shown to have a favorable influence on myelination in in vitro studies and in a mouse model for CMT1A. We will study the efficacy and safety of ascorbic acid treatment in young patients with CMT1A.

Determining the Safe Dosage of Ascorbic Acid Used in the Treatment of Occluded Totally Implanted Central Venous Catheter [Completed]
The hypothesis of the study is to evaluate whether ascorbic acid is able to clear totally implanted central venous catheter

Study of Association of Arsenic Trioxide (ATO) and Ascorbic Acid in Myelodysplastic Syndromes [Terminated]
This is a prospective, multicenter phase II trial designed to evaluate the safety and activity of the combination of association of arsenic trioxide (ATO) and ascorbic acid in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

Study of High Dose Intravenous (IV) Ascorbic Acid in Measurable Solid Tumor Disease [Suspended]

Intravenous Ascorbic Acid in Women Receiving Adjuvant or Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Early Stage Breast Cancer [Not yet recruiting]
This is a parallel-track, randomized study will observe whether intravenous ascorbic acid reduces the reported fatigue in women receiving adjuvant or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer.

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Reports of Suspected Ascorbic Acid Side Effects

Cerebral Haemorrhage (10)Condition Aggravated (7)Convulsive Threshold Lowered (7)Convulsion (7)Confusional State (6)Drug Interaction (6)Jaundice (5)Hepatic Necrosis (5)Fatigue (5)Cytolytic Hepatitis (5)more >>


Page last updated: 2011-12-09

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