Relationship between Vitamin C, Mast Cells and Inflammation

Abstract

Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy and can compromise many bodily functions. Vitamin C is involved in mast cells and other immune cells, such as NK cells, and differentiation of Th0 subset into Th1 cells. In addition, vitamin C has an important effect on p38 MAPK pathway and NF-kappa activity. Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant which protects the immune cells against intracellular ROS generated in allergic inflammatory response. Administration of vitamin C opposes free radical production and decreases bronchial hypersensitivity, an effect mediated by mast cells. Here, in this paper, we studied the relationship between vitamin C, mast cells and inflammation.