ABSTRACT
Plasma levels of ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) were estimated in 27 patients of end stage renal failure (ESRF) on standard conservative therapy (group A) and 9 patients of ESRF on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD; group B). Fourteen healthy subjects matched for age and sex served as control (group C). The dietary intake of vitamin C was significantly decreased in group A than in group B compared to control. Similarly, plasma AA was significantly lowered to 0.801 +/- 0.283 mg per cent in group A compared to 1.421 +/- 0.47 mg per cent in control. While it was just lowered to 1.058 +/- 0.272 mg per cent in group B. Although plasma level of DHA was raised to 0.243 +/- 0.486 mg per cent and 0.166 +/- 0.54 mg per cent in groups A and B respectively, the increase was not statistically significant. In our present study, the DHA/AA ratio was found to be inversely proportional to the plasma AA. Further, this ratio has been claimed to be a better indicator of overall reducing atmosphere (i.e., profile of vitamin C) of the body.
Subject(s)
Ascorbic Acid/administration & dosage , Ascorbic Acid Deficiency , Dehydroascorbic Acid/blood , Eating , Female , Humans , Kidney Failure, Chronic/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Renal Dialysis , Uremia/bloodABSTRACT
Controlled studies were conducted to find out the plasma values of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), urinary excretion of ascorbic acid and blood levels of glutathione in patients with viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis of liver and carcinoma of liver. Leucocyte ascorbic acid and DHA/AA index were also determined in order to assess the ascorbic acid status of these patients. It was observed that the plasma and leucocytes contents of ascorbic acid were significantly subnormal with markedly decreased urinary excretion in these patients. Decreased level of glutathione and significantly higher level of DHA reflect an over all reducing status of the body is markedly deranged in these conditions. Further it was observed that the DHA/AA ratios were significantly altered in these groups of patients.
Subject(s)
Ascorbic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Dehydroascorbic Acid/blood , Glutathione/blood , Humans , Leukocytes/metabolism , Liver Diseases/metabolismABSTRACT
Studies were conducted to evaluate the blood levels of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, glutathione, and histamine in patients with gastric carcinoma, tuberculous enteritis and non-specific ulcerative colitis. Leucocyte ascorbic acid, urinary excretion of total ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid saturation test were also carried out in order to assess the ascorbic acid status of these patients. It was observed that the plasma and leucocyte content of ascorbic acid was significantly lower with markedly decreased urinary excretion in these patients. Further urinary excretion of ascorbic acid after a test dose was also found to be subnormal. Decreased levels of glutathione and significantly higher levels of histamine reflect an overall reducing status of the body is markedly deranged.