Enhancement of chemotactic response and microtubule assembly in human leukocytes by ascorbic acid

Abstract

The incubation of human leukocytes with ascorbic acid increased chemotaxis of the cells. In addition, ascorbic acid promoted the assembly of intracellular polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) with colchicine blocked the effect of ascorbic acid on promoting microtubule assembly. Not only did ascorbic acid promote the assembly of microtubules in vivo, but it enhanced the assembly of bovine brain tubulin into microtubules in vitro as quantitated by a glass-fiber filtration assay and by promotion of viscosity changes. The enhancement in leukocyte mobility by ascorbate at concentrations achievable in normal tissues correlates with its ability to assemble microtubule organelles.

Vitamin C Supplementation Slightly Improves Physical Activity Levels and Reduces Cold Incidence in Men with Marginal Vitamin C Status: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…A specific anti-cold mechanism of vitamin C has not been elucidated but may relate to immune-enhancement orchestrated by vitamin C such as improved natural killer cell activities [36] or improved lymphocyte proliferation or chemotaxis [37,38]. Although cold duration was impacted by vitamin C supplementation in the present trial, vitamin C did not reduce cold symptom severity as has been reported in the systematic reviews.…”

Vitamin C

“…The incubation of human leucocytes with ascorbic acid at concentrations achievable in normal tissues increased chemotactic migration of the cells: the enhanced mobility correlated with the cells' ability to as-semble microtubules (Boxer et al, 1979). Stimulation of neutrophil chemotaxis in vivo has been reported in normal adult volunteers following the daily ingestion of 1 g (Boxer et al, 1976) or 2-3 g of vitamin C (Anderson et al, 1980).…”

Emerging Evidence on Neutrophil Motility Supporting Its Usefulness to Define Vitamin C Intake Requirements

“…Furthermore, it could be shown that vitamin C improves the immune function by influencing chemotaxis (CT) and chemokinesis (CK) of neutrophil leukocytes [46]. The enhancement in leukocyte motility by ascorbic acid goes along with its ability to assemble microtubule organelles [47]. These findings are supported by the observation that the vitamin C level is affected in people with infections, chronic diseases [48], and higher oxidative stress, as they lead to higher metabolic losses: e.g., during common cold [49] and in smokers, a 40% higher turnover is seen [50].…”

“…Chemotaxis (CT) and chemokinesis (CK) describe this movement: while the former is directional, the later consists of random movement [70]. Neutrophils contain high concentrations of vitamin C compared to plasma levels [45], and it is thought that they function best if adequate amounts of vitamin C are available [47]. It has, for example, been shown that inadequate intakes could impair CT in guinea pig leukocytes [73].…”

“…It has, for example, been shown that inadequate intakes could impair CT in guinea pig leukocytes [73]. The underlying mechanism is thought to be the ability of vitamin C to promote the assembly of microtubule organelles [47]. …”