Vitamin C does not improve the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication in smokers

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the hypothesis that vitamin C improves the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication in smokers when combined with pantoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. Materials and methods: The study completed 90 subjects of 98 enrolled, 58 smokers 32 nonsmokers. Helicobacter pylori status was determined by two methods, CLO test, and histology. Vitamin C (500 mg) was administered three times daily. The patients were considered as cured of H. pylori if the CLO test result and histology were negative 4 weeks after completion of eradication therapy. Results: Smokers had lower effectiveness of eradication therapy than non-smokers and the administration of vitamin C had not affected the outcome of eradication therapy. Conclusions: Vitamin C (500 mg tid) does not improve the eradication therapy when pantoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin were used.

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of vitamin C against human bacterial pathogens

“…Furthermore, hydroxylase enzymes require vitamin C as a cofactor to transcription of gene, cell signaling of immune system cells and the action of the hypoxia-inducible factors (Kuiper and Vissers, 2014). Vitamin C possesses an inhibitory influence against pathogens (Helicobacter pylori), in the gut, which is a recently recognized causal agent of sores (Namiot et al, 2020). Woo et al (2010) reported that ascorbic acid could kill the strains of mycobacterium tuberculosis that are resistant to most other antibiotic drugs.…”