Liposomal hGH Vitamin C and the common cold Pro collagen, vitamin C

Prostate and vitamin C Vitamin C and the new millennium!

Vitamin C and the common cold
by Dr. Hans Buringer, Ph.D.

References:
1. (Vitamin C Elson M. Haas, M.D. (Excerpted from Staying Healthy with Nutrition: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine (Celestial Arts))

2. (Vitamin C and common cold incidence: a review of studies with subjects under heavy physical stress). Int J Sports Med, 1996 Jul, 17:5, 379-83

Pro collagen, vitamin C

Functions: One important function of vitamin C is in the formation and maintenance of collagen, the basis of connective tissue, which is found in skin, ligaments, cartilage, vertebral discs, joint linings, capillary walls, and the bones and teeth. Collagen, and thus vitamin C, is needed to give support and shape to the body, to help wounds heal, and to maintain healthy blood vessels. Specifically, ascorbic acid works as a coenzyme to convert proline and lysine to hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, both important to the collagen structure.

Collagen Synthesis Stimulation

Ascorbic acid is essential for collagen synthesis as is evidenced by connective tissue disorders, such as scurvy, where ascorbic acid is deficient. Ascorbic acid's original importance in collagen synthesis was found to be as a co-factor for the hydroxylation of proline to create hydroxy-proline that in turn is important in collagen helix formation. It has been shown that ascorbic acid has a primary stimulatory role in collagen synthesis unrelated to hydroxylation and originating at the messenger RNA level.

When normal human dermal fibroblasts were cultured for 72-96 hours in the presence of ascorbic acid at 0.1% concentration. After incubation, the supernatant was removed and both supernatant and cells were assayed for collagen stimulation. A proprietary collagen ELISA test was used to quantify changes in collagen synthesis. A standard curve of collagen Types I & III was used to quantify collagen levels. Monoclonal antibodies specific for Types I & III collagen are added to the cells and to the supernatant, followed by an alkaline phosphatase-labeled secondary antibody. The levels of collagen are measured by adding a substrate for alkaline phosphatase that produces a colored product. The level of color intensity is directly proportional to the amount of collagen Types I & III present. The difference in color intensity is compared to control, untreated cells to determine relative changes in collagen synthesis.

The ascorbic acid was able to promote collagen synthesis by 51% in human dermal fibroblasts.

Effect of vitamin C on prostate cancer cells in vitro: effect on cell number, viability, and DNA synthesis.

Prostate, 32(3):188-95 1997 Aug 1

BACKGROUND: Many studies describe the protective role of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) against cancer development and in treatment of established cancer. The present study investigated whether ascorbic acid demonstrates a therapeutic benefit for prostate cancer.

METHODS: Androgen-independent (DU145) and androgen-dependent (LNCaP) human prostate cancer cell lines were both treated in vitro with vitamin C (0-10 mM). Cell counts, cell viability, and thymidine incorporation into DNA were determined.

RESULTS: Treatment of DU145 and LNCaP cells with vitamin C resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability and thymidine incorporation into DNA. Vitamin C induced these changes through the production of hydrogen peroxide; addition of catalase (100-300 units/ml), an enzyme that degrades hydrogen peroxide, inhibited the effects of ascorbic acid. Superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that dismutates superoxide and generates hydrogen peroxide, did not prevent decreases in cell number and DNA synthesis, suggesting further the involvement of hydrogen peroxide in vitamin C-induced changes. These results clearly indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in vitamin C-induced cell damage. However, that singlet oxygen scavengers such as sodium azide and hydroquinone and hydroxyl radical scavengers such as D-mannitol and DL-alpha-tocopherol did not counteract the effects of ascorbic acid on thymidine incorporation suggests that vitamin C-induced changes do not occur through the generation of these ROS. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin C inhibits cell division and growth through production of hydrogen peroxide, which damages the cells probably through an as yet unidentified free radical(s) generation/mechanism. Our results also suggest that ascorbic acid is a potent anticancer agent for prostate cancer cells.

Flow cytometric and ultrastructural aspects of the synergistic antitumor activity of vitamin C-vitamin K3 combinations against human prostatic carcinoma cells.

Tissue Cell, 1996 Dec, 28:6, 687-701

Transmission and scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry were employed to characterize the cytotoxic effects of vitamin C (VC), vitamin K3 (VK3), or VC-VK3 combinations on a human prostate carcinoma cell line (DU145) following a 1-h vitamin treatment and a 24-h incubation in culture medium. Cells exposed to VC exhibited membranous blebs, aberrant microvillar morphology, mitochondria with swollen cristae and intramitochondrial deposits, as well as nucleoli with segregated components. VK3-treated cells displayed a damaged cytoskeleton and membranes, a cytoplasm which contained large lumen, condensed polysomes, and severely damaged mitochondria with residual bodies, and nuclei which exhibited chromatic condensation, pyknosis, and karyolysis. VC-VK3-treated cells exhibited characteristics consistent with necrosis, i.e. swollen mitochondria and swollen, achromatic nuclei with marginated chromatin and intact envelopes, while other cells displayed characteristics consistent with apoptosis, i.e. expulsion of organelle-containing blebs, margination of nuclear chromatin, and segregation of nucleolar components. Vitamin treatment also decreased DNA synthesis, induced a S/G2 block in the cell cycle, and resulted in the accumulation of fragmented DNA. These results suggested that increased oxidative stress, subsequent membrane damage, and DNA fragmentation were responsible for enhanced cytotoxicity of the vitamin combination.

Vitamin C and the new millennium!

The water-soluble vitamin C lately promoted as a powerful antioxidant and antihistamine was long before noted for its need in making collagen. It strengthens many parts of the body, such as muscles and blood vessels. Vitamin C also plays important roles in wound healing and in the formation of liver bile. The following overview shows previous and more recent use of vitamin C in connection with a variety of conditions:

Primary: Bruising, (deficiency only), capillary fragility, common cold and sore throat, glaucoma, infection, male Infertility, (sperm agglutination), and scurvy.

Secondary: Cataracts, diabetes, high cholesterol, immune function, influenza and minor injuries.

Other: Alcohol withdrawal support, asthma, atherosclerosis, athletic support, and backache
chemotherapy support, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, recurrent ear infections, eczema, gingivitis, (in periodontal disease), gout, hay fever, hepatitis, HIV support, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, macular degeneration, menopause, menorrhagia (heavy menstruation), morning sickness, abnormal Pap smear, retinopathy, urinary tract infection and Vitiligo.

Vitamin C’s health benefits come from its metabolites, such as dehydroascorbate and threonate.¹ A recent study found that the metabolite dehydroascorbate was able to penetrate the blood/brain barrier and protect against oxidative stress in the brain.² For individuals who carry the genetic apoE4 characteristic, the phenotype of dementia, may benefit form vitamin C’s antioxidative properties in reducing brain inflammation.

Although only 10 mg of ascorbic acid a day would prevent scurvy, it may not be enough to maximize vitamins C’s potential as an effective antioxidant. About 1-3 grams of vitamin C can stop the spread of viral and bacterial infections; 8-10 grams can kill those infections.³ Vitamin C therapy, if begun at the onset of symptoms, lessens the severity and duration of cold infections, studies suggest. (Large amounts,-greater than 1,000 mg-, of vitamin C supplementation over two weeks, could cause copper deficiency. ^{4, 5} Vitamin C probably also increases the absorption of iron, although this effect may be mild.)

Vitamin C has demonstrated not only antiviral characteristics with the common cold, but also against a variety of other viral illnesses; e.g. in hepatitis that resulted from blood transfusions, -if given prior to surgery-, ⁶ in herpes type 1, vaccinia, Epstein-Barr, chronic fatigue syndrome and in polio, where it inactivates the poliomyelitis virus and arrest its paralyzing effect. Leukocytes contain a very high concentration of ascorbic acid; the more vitamin C is depleted from leukocytes, the more severe the cold symptoms.⁷ The production of interferon, secreted by the lymphocytes, also seems to be enhanced by vitamin C.⁸ Recently, when vitamin C was added in large quantity to a medium containing HIV-infected human white blood cells, the infected cells died more quickly leaving behind the healthy cells.⁹ Vitamin C has been found helpful to protect against the bacterial effects of Helicobacter pylori.¹⁰ Vitamin C is necessary for proper adrenal function. The production of norepinephrine, responsible for the "rush" of adrenaline, is dependent on vitamin C. Other adrenal hormones, with anti-inflammatory properties, also need vitamin C for their production. Vitamin C’s cancer protective effects stems from its antioxidant functions.

As a free radical scavenger, ascorbate works directly in the watery environment of the cells and in the lipid rich areas of the cell, interacting with vitamin E in the later medium. The same property of vitamin C prevents the formation of nitrosamines from nitites and nitrates.

China’s higher rate to esophageal cancer found in northern provinces, was directly related to the low dietary intake of vitamin C.¹¹ In humans, vitamin C is effective in lowering the total cholesterol and raising the HDL levels in the blood of subjects with high initial cholesterol.¹² Although all blood types need proper levels of vitamin C, type A and AB need greater amounts if adhering to a blood type specific diet.¹³ Well known to orthomolecular psychiatry and medicine, the production of neuro chemicals effecting the mood such as serotonin from L-tryptophan, and dopamine from the amino acids L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine, also depend on vitamin C. High amounts of vitamin C, due to its chelating properties, removes excess vanadium from the body, implicated in manic depression. Extra ascorbic acid will also bind with mercury and increase excreation after visiting the dentist. Known as perhaps one of the best and safest detoxifier, vitamin C helps clear the body of any residual addicting substances in treating alcohol, heroin and methadone addictions. Besides vitamin C’s key role in the formation of collagen and tissue repair, literally hundreds of different enzymes require vitamin C to work correctly. Vitamin C’s powerful antioxidant properties have been headliners of major scientific journals past and present, but the future for this essential nutrient is right now.

References:
1. Agus DB, Gambhir SS, Pardridge WM, et al. Vitamin C Crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier in the Oxidized Form through the Glucose Transporters. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 1997; 100:2842-48.

2. Lee W, Davis K, Rettner R, Labbe R. Ascorbic acid status: biochemical and clinical considerations. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1988; 48:286-90.

3. Pauling L. Vitamin C and the Common Cold. W H. Freeman, San Francisco; 1970.

4. Sandstead HH. Copper bioavailability and requirements. Am J Clin Nutr 1982;35:809–14 [review].

5. Finley EB, Cerklewski FL. Influence of ascorbic acid supplementation on copper status in young adult men. Am JClin Nutr 1983;37:553–6

6. Anderson RA. Wellness Medicine. 1990; Keats Publishing, New Canaan, Conn.: 262.

7. Greene M, Wilson CWM. Effect of aspirin on ascorbic acid metabolism during colds. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 3:369.

8. Thomas WR, Holt RG. Vitamin C and Immunity: an assessment of evidence. Clinical Experimental Immunology 1978: 32:370-379.

9. Harakeh S, JariwallaR, Pauling L. Suppression of human immunodeficiency virus replication by ascorbate in chronically and acutely infected cells. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 1990: 87:7245-49.

10. Correa P, Fountham E, Ruiz B. Gastric juice, ascorbic acid after intravenous injection: effect of H.pylori infection. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 1195: 87:52-53.

11. Shih-Hsin L et al. Urinary excretion of N-nitrosamino acids and nitrate by inhabitants of high- and low-risk areas for esophageal cancer in northern China: endogenous formation of nitrosoproline and its inhibition by vitamin C. Cancer Research 1986; 46:1485-1491.

12. Ginter E et al. Effects of ascorbic acid on plasma cholesterol in humans in a long-term experiment. International Journal of Vitamin Nutrition Research 47:123-134.

13. D’ Adamo PJ. Eat Right 4 Your Type. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York: 1997.
Vitamin C helps recycle the antioxidant vitamin E.