ABSTRACT
Introduction: Vitamin C supplementation has been seen as a supportive treatment to control and prevent complications of COVID-19 by enhancing the immune response against infection. However, the effects of high doses of this vitamin are not yet fully understood. Objective: To analyze the effects of high-dose vitamin C in patients with COVID-19. Methods: This was a systematic review, using original studies published from April 2020 to November 2022 in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The combination of descriptors registered in Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) used to search for articles were: (("vitamin C" OR "ascorbic acid") AND ("COVID-19" OR "SARS-CoV-2" OR "coronavirus")). Original articles of clinical trials conducted with patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and submitted to high-dose vitamin C supplementation were included. Results: Eligible studies included patients in intensive care units, wards, or outpatient clinics, who were given doses of vitamin C, ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 mg/day, with an average duration of 6.25 days of supplementation and mostly intravenous administration. A reduction in fever and myalgia was observed, as well as an improvement in oxygen saturation and lung impairment rate. Conclusion: The role of high-dose vitamin C in patients affected by COVID-19 requires further study, however, to date, the results have been promising for symptom reduction and improvement in lung function and oxygenation.
Introducción: La administración de suplementos de vitamina C se ha considerado un tratamiento de apoyo para controlar y prevenir las complicaciones del COVID-19 al mejorar la respuesta inmunitaria contra la infección. Sin embargo, los efectos de dosis elevadas de esta vitamina aún no se conocen en su totalidad. Objetivo: Analizar los efectos de altas dosis de vitamina C en pacientes con COVID-19. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio de revisión sistemática, utilizando artículos originales publicados desde abril de 2020 hasta noviembre de 2022 en las bases de datos PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus y Web of Science. Para la búsqueda de los artículos se utilizó la combinación de descriptores registrados en Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): (("vitamin C" OR "ascorbic acid") AND ("COVID-19" OR "SARS-CoV-2" OR "coronavirus")). Se incluyeron artículos originales de tipo ensayo clínico realizados con pacientes diagnosticados con COVID-19 y sometidos a suplementación con altas dosis de vitamina C. Resultados: Los estudios elegibles se realizaron con pacientes ingresados en unidades de cuidados intensivos, salas o ambulatorios, a los que se administraron dosis de vitamina C que oscilaban entre 6.000 y 8.000 mg/día, con una duración media de 6,25 días de suplementación y vía de administración mayoritariamente intravenosa. Se observó una reducción de la fiebre y las mialgias, además de una mejoría de la saturación de oxígeno y de la tasa de compromiso pulmonar. Conclusión: El papel de las dosis altas de vitamina C en pacientes afectados por COVID-19 requiere más estudios; sin embargo, hasta la fecha, los resultados han sido prometedores en cuanto a la reducción de los sintomas, y la mejora de la función pulmonar y la oxigenación.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the influence of ultra-processed food consumption on anthropometric and atherogenic indices. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 327 adolescents aged 14 to 19 years. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical, and food consumption data were evaluated. The ratios of atherogenic indices were calculated using the Castelli I (Total Cholesterol/High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol), Castelli II (Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol/High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol), and estimated Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol particle size (Atherogenic Index of Plasma=Triglycerides/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol) indices. Logistic regression was used for the unadjusted and adjusted analysis between ultra-processed foods consumption, anthropometric, and atherogenic indices. The level of significance was 5%. Results Most participants were female (59.3%). Girls had a higher consumption of ultra-processed foods (26.6% vs. 20.5%). Of the total number of adolescents, 16.5% were overweight and 65.7% were from public schools. Adolescents with altered values for the Castelli I and II Index, and for the Atherogenic Index of Plasma had significantly higher weights, Waist Circumference, Waist Circumference/ Height and Body Mass Index/ Age values. The adjusted analysis identified a significant association (Odds ratio=2.29; 95% Confidence interval: 1.23-4.28) between the high consumption of ultra-processed foods and the Castelli II index. Conclusion The associations between atherogenic indices and anthropometric indices and the consumption of ultra-processed foods highlight the negative influence of these foods on adolescents' cardiovascular health.
RESUMO Objetivo Verificar a influência do consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados em índices antropométricos e de aterogenicidade. Métodos Estudo transversal com 327 adolescentes na faixa etária de 14 a 19 anos. Avaliaram-se dados sociodemográficos, antropométricos, bioquímicos e de consumo alimentar. As razões dos índices de aterogenicidade foram calculadas por meio do Índice de Castelli I (Colesterol Total/Lipoproteína de Alta Densidade), Índice de Castelli II (Lipoproteína de Baixa Densidade/Lipoproteína de Alta Densidade) e da estimativa do tamanho da partícula de Lipoproteína de Baixa Densidade (Índice Aterogênico do Plasma=Triglicerídeos/Lipoproteína de Alta Densidade). A regressão logística foi utilizada para a análise bruta e ajustada entre consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados, indicadores antropométricos e índice de aterogenicidade. O nível de significância foi de 5%. Resultados A maioria dos adolescentes que participaram do estudo era do sexo feminino (59,3%). As meninas apresentaram maior consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados (26,6% vs. 20,5%). Do total de participantes, 16,5% estavam com excesso de peso e 65,7% eram de escolas públicas. Adolescentes com valores alterados para o Índice Castelli I e II e para o Índice Aterogênico do Plasma apresentaram valores de peso, Circunferência da Cintura, Circunferência da Cintura/Altura e Índice de Massa Corporal/Idade significantemente superiores. A análise ajustada identificou associação significante (Razão de possibilidades=2,29; Intervalo de confiança 95%:1,23-4,28) entre o elevado consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados e o índice de Castelli II. Conclusão As associações entre os índices aterogênicos com os índices antropométricos e com o consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados ressaltam a influência negativa desses alimentos na saúde cardiovascular de adolescentes.