PURPOSE: Vitamin C among antioxidants in human is a physiological antioxidant for protection against diseases. We measured the vitamin C concentrations of whole blood and plasma among children in early childhood at normal condition in order to know the presence of vitamin C deficiency. METHODS: The venous blood was collected from 471 subjects at 1-6 years of ages in Chinju. Concentrations of vitamin C in whole blood and plasma were measured by the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method. RESULTS: Concentrations of vitamin C in whole blood and plasma were 1.68mg/dL and 0.94mg/dL, respectively. While concentrations of vitamin C in the whole blood and plasma of males were 1.69 mg/dL and 0.92mg/dL, respectively. Those of females, were 1.68mg/dL and 1.00mg/dL, respectively. The concentrations did not significantly differ by gender. Concentrations of vitamin C in plasma were positively correlated with the age of the entire study group and of female(P=0.01). Percentages of subjects with vitamin C concentrations of the whole blood less than 1.0mg/dL were 1.9%, and those of the plasma of below 0.6mg/dL were 20.6%. CONCLUSION: Concentrations of vitamin C in whole blood and plasma did not show normal distribution. And there were no relationship among age, gender, and vitamin C concentrations at early childhood. A significant number of children in Chinju had suboptimal plasma vitamin C concentration. These findings suggest a need for an increased vitamin C intake in this area.
Antioxidants ; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency ; Ascorbic Acid* ; Child* ; Female ; Gyeongsangnam-do* ; Humans ; Male ; Plasma* ; Vitamins*

It is generally accepted that urinary excretion of vitamin c increases when the blood concentration reaches the threshold of 1.0 mg/dl. Urinary excretion reaches a maximum 2-3 hours after loading with vitamin c, returning to normal after approximately 24 hours. If there is no vitamin c deficiency, approximately 50% of the loading dose is readily excreted within 24 hours. In the group B and C of this series, in which initial blood concentrations of the vitamin c was relatively low, the blood and urinary concentration increased noticeably after the loading. But the groups with higher initial blood levels did not experience increased concentration in the blood of vitamin c after the loading. Seminal vitamin c concentration in groups A, C and D increased after the loading, but in group E initially higher in seminal concentration was unchanged even after the loading. In 9 of 14 cases, motility of the sperms seemed to improve to a certain extent, though not very significantly after the vitamin c loading. Reed suggested in comparing the sperm velocity within a distance of 0.05 mm. That even 0.1 of a second might be a very important time difference. In this series the velocity changed from 1.66 to 1.52 seconds and the difference, 0.14 seconds, might be significant in fertilization.
Ascorbic Acid Deficiency ; Ascorbic Acid* ; Fertilization ; Infertility ; Semen Analysis ; Semen* ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Vitamins*

No abstract available.
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Ascorbic Acid ; Iron ; Renal Dialysis ; Vitamins

OBJECTIVES: Reduced bone quality caused by vitamin C deficiency in older persons may lead to incidental fragility fractures during bisphosphonate treatment, although bisphosphonate increases bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of minodronate and ascorbic acid (Aa) on BMD, bone quality, and bone strength in Aa(-)deficient osteogenic disorder Shionogi (ODS) rats. METHODS: Six-month-old ODS rats were divided into four groups (n = 20 per group): (1) Aa supplementation (Aa(+)); (2) Aa(-)deficient (Aa(-)); (3) Aa supplementation and minodronate administration (Aa(+) + Mino); and (4) Aa(-)deficient and minodronate administration (Aa(-) + Mino). BMD, bone strength, bone histomorphometry, and bone quality determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy imaging (FTIRI) were evaluated after 4 and 8 weeks. RESULTS: BMD was significantly higher in the Aa(+) + Mino group than in the Aa(-) group (p < 0.05). Bone strength was significantly higher in the Aa(+) and Aa(+) + Mino groups than in the Aa(-) group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, bone strength was significantly higher in the Aa(+) + Mino group than in the Aa(-) + Mino group (p < 0.05). Minodronate treatment irrespective of Aa supplementation significantly decreased bone resorption compared with the Aa(+) and Aa(-) groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences in the parameters evaluated by FTIRI were observed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Aa supplementation improved bone strength in ODS rats. Combined treatment with minodronate and Aa, but not minodronate alone, improved bone strength and increased BMD. Aa is required for bone health because it is essential for osteoblast differentiation.
Animals ; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency ; Ascorbic Acid* ; Bone Density* ; Bone Resorption ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; Rats* ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Vitamins*

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of vitamin C deficiency on the orthodontic tooth movement and bony remodeling processes. Thirty six male guinea pigs were divided on the basis of the given amount of vitamin C (normal group: 5 mg/day, deficient group: 0.2 mg/day) and 75 gm of force was applied to the maxillary incisors. Experimental animals were sacrificed at day 0, day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7 and day 14 after force application and the amount of tooth movement was measured and tissues were studied histologically. The results showed that the amount of collagen fiber in the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone of the deficient group was less than that of the normal group. In the stretched side, the osteoblastic activity and alveolar bone formation of the normal group increased in a time dependent manner during experimental periods, but the deficient group showed less activity and formation. The amount of tooth movement in the deficiency group was more than in the normal group at day 0, day 1, day 3, day 5, and day 7. According to the above results, a deficiency of vitamin C resulted in a defect of collagen synthesis of the periodontium and inhibition of bone formation and stimulation of bone resorption with rapid tooth movement in early periods of force application.
Animals ; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency* ; Ascorbic Acid* ; Bone Remodeling* ; Bone Resorption ; Collagen ; Guinea Pigs ; Humans ; Incisor ; Male ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontal Ligament ; Periodontium ; Tooth Movement* ; Tooth* ; Vitamins*

PURPOSE: The burn increase the requirement for the antioxidative vitamin C and decrease the plasma concentration of vitamin D due to the loss of skin body surface area. We investigated the vitamin C and D status and the prevalence of vitamin C and D insufficiency in adult burn patients undergoing rehabilitative therapy. METHODS: 256 burn patients admitted to the department of rehabilitation medicine from April 2013 to September 2014 were tested for the plasma level of vitamin C and D[25(OH)D]. Vitamin C insufficiency was considered as <26.1micromol/L and vitamin D insufficiency as <20 ng/ml. We compared the mean plasma level of vitamin C and D[25(OH)D] according to burned percent of total body surface area (TBSA). RESULTS: Vitamin C insufficiency in 63.3% and vitamin D deficiency in 87.1%. In burn patients of TBSA> or =20%, mean plasma concentration of vitamin C and vitamin D[25(OH)D] were significantly lower (P=0.023, P<0.001). With adjusting for potential confounder such as age, sex, burn type, mean serum 25 (OH)D levels was significantly decreased 0.07 ng/ml per one percent of burned surface area (beta=-0.07, P<0.001), but with adjusting for age, sex, burn type, length of ICU stay and duration from burn injury to sampling, vitamin C and vitamin D[25(OH)D] were not significantly decreased (P=0.221, P=0.142). CONCLUSION: Vitamin C and D insufficiency were common nutrient problems in burn patients undergoing rehabilitative therapy. Further studies will be needed to establish the effective way to improve vitamin C and D status and prevent nutritional complications.
Adult ; Ascorbic Acid* ; Body Surface Area ; Burns* ; Humans ; Plasma ; Prevalence ; Rehabilitation ; Skin ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamins

PURPOSE: Serum vitamin C is one of the indicators for antioxidant levels in the body and it is lower in cancer patients compared with the healthy population. However, there have been few studies on the levels of serum vitamin C in terminally ill cancer patients and related factors. METHODS: We followed 65 terminal cancer patients who were hospitalized in two palliative care units. We collected data of age, sex, cancer type, functional status, clinical symptoms, history of cancer therapy, and various laboratory findings including serum vitamin C level. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the quartile of serum vitamin C level (Q1-3 vs. Q4), which were compared each other. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to serum vitamin C levels. RESULTS: The mean serum vitamin C level was 0.44 microg/mL, and all patients fell into the category of vitamin C deficiency. Univariate analysis showed that The serum vitamin C level was lower in non-lung cancer patients (P=0.041) and febrile patients (P=0.034). Multivariate analysis adjusted for potential confounders such as lung cancer, fever, dysphagia, dyspnea, C reactive protein, and history of chemotherapy demonstrated that odds for low serum vitamin C level was 3.7 for patients receiving chemotherapy (P=0.046) and 7.22 for febrile patients (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Vitamin C deficiency was very severe in terminally ill cancer patients, and it was associated with history of chemotherapy and fever.
Ascorbic Acid Deficiency ; Ascorbic Acid* ; C-Reactive Protein ; Deglutition Disorders ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Fever ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lung Neoplasms ; Multivariate Analysis ; Palliative Care ; Terminal Care ; Terminally Ill*

Vitamins are essential micronutrients for maintenance of tissue functions. Vitamin deficiency is one of the most serious and common health problems among both chronic alcoholics and the homeless. However, the vitamin-level statuses of such people have been little studied. We evaluated the actual vitamin statuses of alcoholic homeless patients who visited an emergency department (ED). In this study the blood levels of vitamins B1, B12, B6, and C of 217 alcoholic homeless patients were evaluated retrospectively in a single urban teaching hospital ED. Vitamin C deficiency was observed in 84.3% of the patients. The vitamin B1, B12, and B6 deficiency rates, meanwhile, were 2.3%, 2.3%, and 23.5%, respectively. Comparing the admitted patients with those who were discharged, only the vitamin C level was lower. (P=0.003) In fact, the patients' vitamin C levels were markedly diminished, vitamin C replacement therapy for homeless patients should be considered in EDs.
Adult ; Alcoholic Intoxication/*complications ; Ascorbic Acid/blood/therapeutic use ; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency/*complications/drug therapy/epidemiology ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; *Homeless Persons ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitamin B Complex/blood

PURPOSE: This study was aimed at assessing the difference of the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia among rural and urban middle school students in relation to dietary habit. METHODS: With a questionnaire, blood samples were obtained from 439 apparently healthy rural and urban middle school students residing in Ulsan. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin level of 12.6 g/dL or less for boys and 11.9 g/dL or less for girls. Iron deficiency was defined as serun ferritin level less than 12 micrograms/L or/and transferrin saturation less than 14%. Iron deficiency anemia was defined as iron deficiency plus low hemoglobin. RESULTS: 1) In boys, the prevalence rate of anemia was 17.2%. Among these anemias, 5.4% were found to be iron deficiency anemia. In girls, the prevalence of anemia increased with age. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 6.9%. 2) In girls, the prevalence rate of anemia in rural area was higher than that of anemia in urban area (12.6% in rural, 6.1% in urban, P<0.01). 3) The prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency in the students with menstruation was 10.6% and 33.1%, which was higher than the prevalence of 2.5% and 7.5% in those who did not have the menarche (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). 4) Dietary intake of rural and urban middle school students was estimated lower in energy, iron than the recommeded dietary allowance (RDA). In girls, dietary intake of rural middle school students was estimated lower in iron, niacin, and vitamin C than that of urban middle school students. 5) Nutritional factors such as energy, carbohydrate, protein, and phosphorus showed positive correlation with RBC, hemoglobin (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is recommended to enforce the nutritional education to take enough iron in middle school students to reduce the high prevalence rate of anemia among pubertal students.
Anemia* ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Ascorbic Acid ; Education ; Female ; Ferritins ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Iron* ; Menarche ; Menstruation ; Niacin ; Phosphorus ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Transferrin ; Ulsan*

OBJECTIVEIn order to investigate that ascorbic acid deficiency is responsible for lathyrus toxicity, the effect of dietary feeding of lathyrus pulse in normal and scorbutic guinea pigs for 3 months, on intestinal biochemical parameters was undertaken.

METHODSThe intestinal brush border membrane (BBM) marker and xenobiotic metabolising enzymes (XME) were assayed.

RESULTSExposure to 80% lathyrus alone and in scorbutic conditions showed significant inhibition of alkaline phosphatase (28%-30%), sucrase (19%) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) (15%-27%) enzymes, while Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase was significantly inhibited (38%) in scorbutic plus lathyrus treated group. The phase I XME (AHH) remained unchanged while the phase II enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was significantly decreased (20%-22%) in lathyrus and scorbutic plus lathyrus treated groups. Quinone reductase (QR) activity was found to be significantly decreased in lathyrus exposed group (20%). The intestinal biomarker contents including hexose (25%-34%) and phospholipids (20%-40%) were significantly reduced in lathyrus and scorbutic plus lathyrus exposed animals, while sialic acid showed a significant decrease (28%) in scorbutic plus lathyrus treated group. However, cholesterol levels were significantly enhanced (15%-28%) in lathyrus and scorbutic plus lathyrus treated animals.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that oral feeding of lathyrus pulse to guinea pigs can alter BBM parameters as well as XME, which may result in the intestinal toxicity. Further, ascorbic acid deficiency could be one of the pre-disposing factors of lathyrus toxicity.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency ; complications ; veterinary ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Diet ; Digestive System ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Guinea Pigs ; Lathyrus ; chemistry ; Male ; Microvilli ; Phospholipids ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; adverse effects