Ascorbic acid status in uremics.

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.

Plasma dehydroascorbic acid levels in Iranian subjects with diabetes mellitus

Several reports concerning high plasma dehydroascorbic acid [DHAsA] levels in diabetics have been published and from these reports, suggestions that monitoring of DHAsA levels in those persons with a predisposition to diabetes mellitus would be of value. However, conflicting reports have also appeared which do not confirm high levels of DHAsA in diabetic subjects when compared to controls. Because of these conflicting results, this investigation using Iranian diabetic subjects was undertaken to ascertain whether or not periodic monitoring of DHAsA levels would be of value as an indicator of prediabetic conditions. Our results do not confirm high levels of DHAsA in diabetics but because of the many theories concerning the mechanism of action and the metabolism of DHAsA, previous findings cannot be disregarded

Ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and glutathione in liver disease.

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.