The effects of vitamin C on respiratory, allergic and immunological diseases: an experimental and clinical-based review

Abstract

Vitamin C is used in modern medicine supplements for treatment of various disorders associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and immune dysregulation. In this review article, experimental and clinical results regarding the effects of vitamin C on respiratory immunologic, and allergic diseases are reviewed. Various databases and appropriate keywords are used to search the effect of vitamin C on respiratory diseases until the end of May 2022. Books, theses and articles were included. These studies assessed the effects of vitamin C on respiratory disorders including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung infection and lung cancer. Vitamin C showed relaxant effect on tracheal smooth muscle via various mechanisms. The preventive effects of vitamin C were mediated by antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the experimental animal models of different respiratory diseases. Some clinical studies also indicated the effect of vitamin C on lung cancer and lung infections. Therefore, vitamin C could be used a preventive and/or relieving therapy in respiratory diseases.

Multivitamin consumption and childhood asthma: a cross-sectional study of the NHANES database

“…In the pathogenesis of childhood asthma, Lung helper T cell 2 (Th2) causes airway hyper-responsiveness and remodeling through inflammatory pathways [ 38 ]. Supplement with VD and VC increases in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and can reduce respiratory infections, which suggested they can enhance the immune response, thereby reducing the risk of asthma [ 10 , 39 ]. However, further studies are needed to make these causal relationships clearer.…”

“…Vitamins are obtained from the daily diet and play important roles in maintaining normal physiological functions of the human body, and take part in the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases [ 9 ]. Anti-oxidative vitamins, such as vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE), have anti-inflammation effects and are involved in the oxidative stress caused by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), and thus may reduce the risk of asthma [ 10 , 11 ]. On the other hand, dietary intake of a number of vitamins may be associated with an increased risk of asthma.…”

5,7- Dimethoxycoumarin Indirectly Enhances Insulin Release, But Directly Induces the Synthesis and Secretion of Amylin, 3 Times More Than Glimepiride

“…Vitamin C acts as antioxidant at low doses (30-100 mg/kg) and pro-oxidant at high doses (1000mg/kg) (49). The LD50 of vitamin C is 11,900mg/kg in rats (50). 2g/kg of glucose was given simultaneously with 1000mg/kg of vitamin C and 20mg/kg of 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin, in Rats 24-25.…”

Impact of vitamin C on the development, differentiation and functional properties of T cells

“…A meta data analysis showed that in mouse allergic models, administration of high vitamin C doses results in less severe inflammation with a shift from Th2 towards Th1 cytokine profiles, namely increased IFNγ and less IL-4 production [ 43 ]. The treatment with vitamin C also reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNFα and IL-1 through ROS-dependent inhibition of NF-κB [ 43 ].…”

“…A meta data analysis showed that in mouse allergic models, administration of high vitamin C doses results in less severe inflammation with a shift from Th2 towards Th1 cytokine profiles, namely increased IFNγ and less IL-4 production [ 43 ]. The treatment with vitamin C also reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNFα and IL-1 through ROS-dependent inhibition of NF-κB [ 43 ]. In addition to the modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, vitamin C also promoted the secretion of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 by dendritic cells (DCs), which in turn inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [ 44 ].…”