Changes in Leucocyte Ascorbic Acid during the Common Cold

Abstract

Summary. Leucocyte ascorbic acid was measured in 7 subjects during the common cold. There was a significant fall in L. A.A. to Pauling (1970), there has been much discussion in the public press and elsewhere both in America and in this country on the prophylactic and therapeutic value of ascorbic acid in infections by the common cold virus.During the winter of 1971, we were able to observe the changes occurring in the leucocyte ascorbic acid levels (L.A.A.) in 7 individual members of the staff of one medical unit in a general hospital, during an outbreak of the common cold. Ascorbic acid saturation tests were also carried out to determine whether there was an optimum dose of ascorbic acid which would saturate both the white blood cells and the serum. The effect of 'optimum' doses of ascorbic acid during further episodes of the common cold was studied in 3 individuals. In view of the difficulty in carrying out detailed studies on individuals who are harbouring the common cold virus and who are taking supplements of ascorbic acid, we felt that these observations also were worth reporting. MATERIAL AND METHODS SubjectsSeven members (2 males and 5 females) of the medical and nursing staff were studied while suffering from the common cold. By chance, 4 individuals had measurements of their L.A.A. performed during the week prior to the onset of symptoms. Six individuals had measurements performed on the first day of symptoms; 5 on the second day of symptoms; 7 on the third day of symptoms; 5 on the fourth day of symptoms; 3 on the fifth day of symptoms and 7 on the tenth day of symptoms. Symptoms had usually subsided by the fifth day.

Severe hypovitaminosis C in lung-cancer patients: the utilization of vitamin C in surgical repair and lymphocyte-related host resistance

“…Contrary to expectation (Pelletier, 1970;Hume & Weyers, 1973), there was no evidence that either infections or current smoking had contributed to the low vitamin C values in lung-cancer patients. Leucocyte counts did not correlate inversely with vitamin C values, and the latter were not lower in patients with recent infections.…”

Protective Activity of Ascorbic Acid at Influenza Infection

“…For examp le, in the plasma of patients with symptoms of acute respiratory viral infection, the AA content is half that of normal people and returns to normal after recovery. It was shown that a decrease in the level of AA in acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) can be neutralized by taking 6 g of vitamin C per day [31].…”

Impact of disease on markers of micronutrient status

“…In the 1960s and early 1970s it was shown that trauma rapidly reduced leucocyte ascorbic acid (LAA; Irvin et al 1978; Vallance, 1986). The study of Hume & Weyers (1973) shows the precipitous fall in LAA on day 1 following the onset of symptoms of the common cold (Table 6) and the subsequent behaviour over the next 5 d when pre-infection LAA concentrations were usually regained. In contrast, or as a consequence, plasma ascorbate appears to remain low throughout the period of infection (Thurnham, 1994).…”