Vitamin C May Benefit Persons with the Metabolic Syndrome

Keywords: METABOLIC SYNDROME, ARTERIAL DYSFUNCTION, OXIDATIVE STRESS - Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin C

Reference: "Oxidative stress-mediated arterial dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome: Effect of ascorbic acid," Cangemi R, Angelico F, et al, Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2007; 43(5): 853-859. (Address: Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome 00161, Italy. E-mail: Francesco.violi@uniroma1.it ).

Summary: In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design study involving 18 patients with the metabolic syndrome (MS) and 30 controls, MS patients were found to have higher levels of oxidative stress and lower levels of ischemia-induced flow-mediated dilation (FMD) - both of which were improved when patients were treated with a 1 g infusion of vitamin C. Researchers set out to determine the effect of oxidative stress on ischemia-induced FMD and the role of vitamin C in affecting this relationship. While placebo infusion did not change FMD, vitamin C infusion significantly enhanced it. Furthermore, ischemia-induced FMD was associated with a significant increase in oxidative stress after administration of placebo - while vitamin C administration counteracted this effect. The authors conclude, "Vitamin C infusion was associated with an inverse correlation between the changes in FMD and oxidative stress." These results suggest that oxidative stress may play a role in the impairment of arterial dilation in persons with the metabolic syndrome. Treatment with antioxidants that counteract oxidative stress - such as vitamin C - may benefit this population.

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