Vitamin C as prophylaxis and adjunctive medical treatment for COVID-19?

Feyaerts, Adam F.; Luyten, Walter

doi:10.1016/j.nut.2020.110948

Cited by 90 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…The infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 and its progression to respiratory failure is driven by a strong and dysregulated immune-inflammatory response, which leads to elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin 6 (IL-6) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the body and a “cytokine storm” causing accumulation of neutrophils within the lungs, destroying alveolar capillaries. VC exerts its effects by reducing the secretion of these pro-inflammatory cytokines from the immune effector cells and preventing neutrophils activation and accumulation and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, which is a biological event of alveolar vascular injury caused by neutrophil activation [ 8 , 9 ]. In China, 50 patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 were given 10-20 g/day of VC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In another meta-analysis of eight RCTs, supplementation of 0.5-2 g/day of VC in 3,153 patients reduced the duration of the upper respiratory tract infection by 1.6 days, suggesting its potential role in the treatment of COVID-19 [ 13 ]. However, very few studies have been conducted to correctly predict the role of VC as adjuvant therapy for COVID-19, but those conducted have shown promising results related to high doses of VC due to its favorable side-effect profile [ 8 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Role of Vitamin C as Adjuvant Therapy in COVID-19

Kumari¹,

Dembra²,

Dembra³

et al. 2020

Cureus

117

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Background and objective The anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C (VC) and the promising results it has shown in the treatment for common cold have prompted clinicians to use it as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to find out the role of VC as adjunctive therapy in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methodology This study was conducted from March to July 2020 in the COVID-19 unit of a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), one group received the intervention [50 mg/kg/day of intravenous (IV) VC] along with the standard therapy, and the other group received standard therapy only. Data such as age, gender, vitals, and biochemical values as well as outcomes including the number of days required for treatment, hospital stay, need for ventilation, and mortality were compared between the two groups and recorded using a self-structured questionnaire. Results COVID-19 patients who received IV VC became symptom-free earlier (7.1 ± 1.8 vs. 9.6 ± 2.1 days, p-value: <0.0001) and spent fewer days in the hospital (8.1 ± 1.8 vs. 10.7 ± 2.2 days, p-value: <0.0001) compared to those who received standard therapy only. However, there was no significant difference in the need for mechanical ventilation (p-value: 0.406) and mortality (p-value: 0.31) between the two groups. Conclusion VC can significantly improve clinical symptoms in patients affected with COVID-19; however, it had no impact on mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation. More large-scale studies are required to further assess the role of VC in the treatment of COVID-19.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Vitamin C as Adjuvant Therapy in COVID-19

Kumari¹,

Dembra²,

Dembra³

et al. 2020

Cureus

117

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“…Moreover, vitamin C may modulate the cytokine storm ( 19 , 38 , 119 , 120 ), characterized by high levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6, resulting in increased risk of respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19 ( 121 ). According to an in vivo study with 12 healthy men, pretreatment with vitamin C can reduce the levels of IL-6, released by the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1), thus reducing vascular dysfunction ( 122 ).…”

Section: Nutrients and Viral Infectionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to an in vivo study with 12 healthy men, pretreatment with vitamin C can reduce the levels of IL-6, released by the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1), thus reducing vascular dysfunction ( 122 ). In addition, increased ET-1 expression is also associated with pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and ARDS ( 120 ).…”

Section: Nutrients and Viral Infectionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zinc, Vitamin D and Vitamin C: Perspectives for COVID-19 With a Focus on Physical Tissue Barrier Integrity

et al. 2020

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Some nutrients play key roles in maintaining the integrity and function of the immune system, presenting synergistic actions in steps determinant for the immune response. Among these elements, zinc and vitamins C and D stand out for having immunomodulatory functions and for playing roles in preserving physical tissue barriers. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, nutrients that can optimize the immune system to prevent or lower the risk of severe progression and prognosis of this viral infection become relevant. Thus, the present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the roles of zinc and vitamins C and D in the immune response to viral infections, focusing on the synergistic action of these nutrients in the maintenance of physical tissue barriers, such as the skin and mucous membranes. The evidence found in the literature shows that deficiency of one or more of these three elements compromises the immune response, making an individual more vulnerable to viral infections and to a worse disease prognosis. Thus, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the adequate intake of zinc and vitamins C and D may represent a promising pharmacological tool due to the high demand for these nutrients in the case of contact with the virus and onset of the inflammatory process. Ongoing clinical trials will help to clarify the role of these nutrients for COVID-19 management.

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“…However, the excellent safety profile of vitamin C and the necessity of ICU treatment for a high proportion of COVID-19 patients may justify consideration of clinical application of vitamin C, even before the results of large clinical trials are available ( 24 ). Vitamin C has been proposed for COVID patients also by other authors ( 25 – 27 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Vitamin C and COVID-19

Hemilä

Man

2021

Front. Med.

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In numerous animal studies, vitamin C has prevented and alleviated viral and bacterial infections. In a few dozen placebo-controlled trials with humans, vitamin C has shortened infections caused by respiratory viruses, which indicates that the vitamin can also influence viral infections in humans. In critically ill patients, plasma vitamin C levels are commonly very low. Gram doses of vitamin C are needed to increase the plasma vitamin C levels of critically ill patients to the levels of ordinary healthy people. A meta-analysis of 12 trials with 1,766 patients calculated that vitamin C reduced the length of ICU stay on average by 8%. Another meta-analysis found that vitamin C shortened the duration of mechanical ventilation in ICU patients. Two randomized placebo-controlled trials found statistically significant reduction in the mortality of sepsis patients. The effects of vitamin C on acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) frequently complicating COVID-19 pneumonia should be considered. Vitamin C is a safe and inexpensive essential nutrient.

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Vitamin C as prophylaxis and adjunctive medical treatment for COVID-19?

Cited by 90 publications

References 64 publications

The Role of Vitamin C as Adjuvant Therapy in COVID-19

The Role of Vitamin C as Adjuvant Therapy in COVID-19

Zinc, Vitamin D and Vitamin C: Perspectives for COVID-19 With a Focus on Physical Tissue Barrier Integrity

Vitamin C and COVID-19

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