Ascorbic acid level and the indicators of cellular immunity in patients with hepatitis A during pathogenetic therapy

Ascorbic acid content was assayed in plasma and neutrophils of peripheral blood in 260 patients with virus hepatitis A during acute period of the disease. The data obtained have evidenced C-hypovitaminosis in these patients, that was more pronounced in the winter-spring period, according to the disease severity 300 mg of ascorbic acid for 1.5 g of galascorbin/day have proved to be the most optimal dose for vitamin C deficiency elimination. A significant decrease in T-lymphocyte level and an increase in 0-cell content were recorded in the acute period of virus hepatitis A. Ascorbic acid drugs promoted more rapid recovery of T-lymphocyte content in the peripheral blood that has confirmed the necessity of vitamin C administration in combined pathogenetic therapy of patients with virus hepatitis A.     

Nutrition characteristics and ascorbic acid requirements in students living in an arid zone

Data are presented on the actual nutrition and providing with vitamin C in students of the V. I. Lenin Pedagogical Institute (Ashkhabad, Turkmenia). Twenty male students aged 18-24 years were investigated during the examination session in summer. Group 1 (12 subjects) received an additional dose of ascorbic acid (150 mg/day), group 2 (8 subjects) served as control. Diversion from the principles of the rational nutrition was established in the actual nutrition of the students investigated: in summer, due to low appetite, students eat low amounts of meat products, that results in the decreased content of animal proteins and fats in their daily rations as compared to the values recommended for this group of population. Vitamin C deficiency was also detected in the students studied. Additional intake of ascorbic acid in a dose of 150 mg/day has normalized their providing with this vitamin.     

Technical note: forms and route of vitamin C supplementation for cows.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of multiple oral supplementation of two forms of vitamin C on plasma ascorbic acid concentrations in dairy cows. Vitamin C was administrated at the rate of 40 g/d during a 5-d period. The supplements were vitamin C in the form of a fine powder and vitamin C coated with ethyl cellulose. In addition, another group of cows provided with vitamin C in the form of fine powder through an abomasal fistula was enrolled in the study. The effect of vitamin C supplementation was assessed by the change in plasma ascorbic acid concentrations during a 5-d period of vitamin C supplementation. A tendency existed for cows that were dosed with vitamin C in the abomasum to have higher ascorbic acid than cows supplemented orally. In the abomasum-dosed cows, plasma ascorbic acid value varied between 3.6 and 4.4 micrograms/ml; the maximum ascorbic acid content was 4.4 micrograms/ml at 54 h. Cows dosed orally with vitamin C coated with ethyl cellulose had higher plasma ascorbic acid concentrations than did cows that received vitamin C in the form of fine powder. In the former group, the maximum ascorbic acid concentration occurred at 30 h after dosing (5 micrograms/ml).     

Variations in the vitamin C content of imported tomatoes

An analysis was made of the vitamin C content of late winter tomatoes. A range of 6·8 to 31·2 mg reduced ascorbic acid per 100 g of fruit was observed in the batches of fruit examined in mid-March 1969. The mean value was 12·6 mg ascorbic acid per 100 g of fruit. It is emphasised that this mean figure was considerably lower than the 20 mg per 100 g given in McCance & Widdowson's (1967) ‘Tables of the Composition of Foods’ which are widely used in dietary surveys.     

Effect of dietary vitamin C on concentrations of ascorbic acid in plasma and milk.

The addition of exogenous ascorbic acid to milk reduces the development of oxidized flavor. This experiment was conducted to determine whether feeding ascorbic acid to cows influenced vitamin C concentrations in milk. Thirty-two midlactation Holstein cows were fed a basal diet of 56% forage, 36.6% concentrate, and 7.4% roasted whole soybeans (dry basis) that was top-dressed with a premix that provided 0, 3, 16.5, or 30 g/d of L-ascorbic acid (provided by ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate) for 28 d. Supplementation had no effect on milk yield or composition or dry matter intake. Treatment linearly increased plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid (19.8, 22.3, 21.9, and 25.7 mumol/L, respectively) but had no effect on plasma dehydro-L-ascorbic acid (DHAA). Concentrations of ascorbic acid (103.7 mumol/L) and DHAA (9.5 mumol/L) in milk were not affected by treatment. Secretion of ascorbic acid into milk appeared to follow Michaelis-Menton kinetics, with a Vmax of 3.92 mmol/d and a Km of 3.59 mumol/L. Milk flavor as evaluated by a panel was normal for all samples after 1 d of storage. After 7 d of storage, the average flavor score was 2.5 (moderate oxidized flavor), but no differences among treatments were observed. Supplemental dietary vitamin C did not increase vitamin C concentration in milk, probably because the maximum potential secretion of the vitamin was occurring in unsupplemented cows.     

Milk fatty acid composition and plasma energy metabolite concentrations in lactating cows fed medium-chain triglycerides

Six lactating Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design to determine the effects of medium-chain triglyceride supplementation on milk fatty acid composition and plasma energy metabolites. Treatments were no supplemental triglyceride, 500 ml of odd-carbon, medium-chain triglyceride (fatty acid composition: 100% pelargonic acid), or 500 ml of even-carbon, medium-chain triglyceride (fatty acid composition: 65% caproic acid, 35% capric acid) added daily to a total mixed ration. Medium-chain triglyceride supplementation did not affect ruminal molar proportions of acetate or propionate but slightly increased the molar proportion of butyrate. Even-carbon and odd-carbon, medium-chain triglycerides reduced DM intake by 1.7 and 1.3 kg/d, respectively, but did not affect milk yield or milk protein percentage. Cows that did not receive supplemental triglyceride produced milk with 3.29% fat. Milk fat concentration was increased by even-carbon, medium-chain triglyceride supplementation relative to odd-carbon, medium-chain triglyceride supplementation (3.44 vs. 2.99%). Although changes in milk fatty acid composition were observed, they were minor and mostly unexplained. Feeding even-carbon, medium-chain triglycerides caused slight increases in plasma glucose and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations, but plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration was not affected by treatments. Odd-carbon, medium-chain triglyceride supplementation (500 ml/d) does not appear to be antiketogenic.     

Note on L-Ascorbic acid content of english early tomatoes

An analysis was made of the vitamin C content of English early tomatoes harvested in the spring and early summer. As the season progressed, the reduced ascorbic acid content was observed to increase from 12·3 mg/100 g in May to 22·1 mg/100 g in July. The 20 mg ascorbic acid/100 g tissue for tomatoes quoted in McCance & Widdowson's ‘Tables of the Composition of Foods’ probably applies only to tomatoes ripened on the plant in midsummer and overestimates the content of the earlier crop.     

Effect of vitamin E supplementation and diet on fatty acid composition and on meat colour and lipid oxidation of lamb leg steaks displayed in modified atmosphere packs

Groups of 8 lambs were allocated to one of five concentrate diets supplemented with all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate containing 30 (C30), 60 (C60), 120 (C120), 250 (C250) and 500 (C500) mg/kg dry matter. Two other groups were fed grass silage and 400 g/day concentrate with 60 (S60) or 500 (S500) mg α-tocopheryl acetate/kg dry matter. Within diet, vitamin E level did not affect growth performance or carcass characteristics. Basal diet did not affect final live weight, conformation and fatness scores. M. semimembranosus from S lambs contained more α-tocopherol than that of C lambs on the same intake and by day 6 in MAP (75%O2/25%CO2) chroma and a* were below acceptable levels in C30 lambs. TBARS were higher in C30 and C60 muscle than in other treatments (P < 0.001) after 3 and 6 days display. Muscle fatty acid composition varied with basal diet but lipid oxidation depended more on vitamin E concentration with an initial concentration of 1.9 μg/g muscle preventing significant lipid oxidation.     

The concentration of vitamin C and selenium in serum of volunteers,receiving different vitamin preparations

Dynamics of changes in serum ascorbic acid and selenium concentration as a result of single dose consumption was investigated on 18 volunteers (12 males and 6 females). Pure ascorbic acid and complex preparation intake was shown to effect the serum ascorbic acid level to a lesser extent than pure vitamin C. The highest concentration of both vitamin C and selenium were observed 2 hours after the administration of "Selmevit".     

Hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Linn) in rats

The hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GG) root powder were examined in hypercholesterolaemic male albino rats. A 4-week administration of GG root powder (5 and 10 gm% in diet) to hypercholesterolaemic rats resulted in significant reduction in plasma, hepatic total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and plasma low-density lipoprotein and VLDL-cholesterol accompanied by significant increases in HDL-cholesterol levels. Furthermore, significant increases in fecal cholesterol, neutral sterols and bile acid excretion along with an increase in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity and bile acid production were observed in these animals. The root powder administration to hypercholesterolaemic rats also decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation with a concomitant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities and total ascorbic acid content. Thus, the hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects of GG root appeared to be mediated via (i) accelerated cholesterol, neutral sterol and bile acid elimination through fecal matter with an increased hepatic bile acid production and (ii) improving the activities of hepatic SOD, catalase and increasing the ascorbic acid content. The normo-cholesterolaemic animals when fed with GG root powder at 10 gm% level, registered a significant decline in plasma lipid profiles and an increase in HDL-cholesterol content. The antioxidant status of these animals also was improved upon treatment.     

Studies on iron deficiency anemia, rickets and zinc deficiency and their prevention among Chinese preschool children.

The incidence of iron deficiency anemia, rickets, and zinc deficiency is very high in Chinese preschool children and a method for prevention is urgently needed. From our studies, it can be seen that a soft drink powder is a convenient vehicle for the supplementation of iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid. Table salt is also a good, low-cost carrier for iron and zinc, and cow's milk can only be used for the enrichment of vitamins A and D. In our study the therapeutic dose of iron was lower than 3 mg/kg body weight recommended by the WHO Expert Committee. As ascorbic acid can enhance the absorption of iron in the body, so 300 mg vitamin C was added to 100 g of soft drink powder containing 100 mg of elemental iron. Ten g of powder is not only enough for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia but it can also cure iron deficiency anemia within 3 months. One hundred mg of iron in 100 g of table salt is an adequate level, because an adult or a child taking 10 or 5 g of salt will receive 10 and 5 mg of elemental iron respectively. This dosage is adequate for the prevention of anemia. From our results, 10 mg of zinc daily is enough for the prevention and treatment of zinc deficiency in preschool children. Four hundred IU of vitamin D (from fortified soft drink powder or enriched fresh cow's milk) orally-administered daily, is a good way to prevent rickets in infants and young children.     

Natural and synthetic sources of vitamin C

Two groups of young male guinea-pigs on a vitamin C-fuee diet were given equivalent amounts of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) from natural sources (blackcurrant juice concentrate (group C) and dried acerola cherry juice (group B)). A third group (A) received an equal amount of synthetic ascorbic acid in water. The overall growth rate was greatest in group C and the ascorbic acid concentrations in the spleen and adrenal glands were significantly greater in group C than in group A; group B (the dried acerola cherry juice group) gave interniediate values.     

Automated determination of vitamin C in some fortified foodstuffs

An automated method for the determination of ascorbic acid has been applied to a variety of vitamin fortified food products. The method is based on the reduction of 2,6-dichloroindophenol by ascorbic acid and shows a detection limit of 0.006 mg/ml with a linear absorbance relationship to 0.200 mg/ml. The method was applied to vitamin fortified cereal products, soya protein snacks and beverage concentrates over a broad range of vitamin levels. The results compared favourably with potentiometric titration for the majority of products studied. It has been shown that the automated procedure is the method of choice for the determination of ascorbic acid in the large number of food products studied.     

Influence of growth stage and postharvest storage on ascorbic acid and carotenoid content and visual quality of baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

To investigate the variations in quality with growth stage and postharvest storage, spinach was sown on three occasions. For each occasion, the spinach was harvested at three growth stages at 6‐day intervals. The second stage corresponded to a growth period used for baby spinach by commercial growers. After harvest, the leaves were stored in polypropylene bags at 2 °C or 10 °C. The highest ascorbic acid content in fresh material was found at stage I. During storage, the ascorbic acid content decreased considerably and the dehydroascorbic acid/vitamin C ratio increased. Storage at 2 °C gave a smaller reduction in ascorbic acid content than storage at 10 °C. Total carotenoid content increased or remained stable during storage. Lutein was the major carotenoid, making up about 39% of the total carotenoid content, followed by violaxanthin, β‐carotene and neoxanthin. Visual quality decreased during storage in most cases, and was correlated to initial ascorbic acid and dry matter contents. The initial AA content might therefore be used as a parameter for predicting the shelf‐life of baby spinach. The results also indicate that by harvesting baby spinach a few days earlier than the current commercial stage of harvest the postharvest visual quality and nutritional quality may be improved. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

The influence of an extract of orange peel on the growth and ascorbic acid metabolism of young guinea-pigs

Young male guinea-pigs receiving a maintenance dose of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) (0.1 mg/100 g body weight daily) received a daily supplement of a flavonoid-rich extract of orange peel (5 mg/100 g body weight). The extract significantly increased the ascorbic acid concentration on the adrenals, spleen and leucocytes but not in the liver and brain. Hesperidin had a similar effect. The possible mechanisms of these changes are discussed. The orange extract and the hesperidin both produced a marked increase in the body weight of the guinea-pigs; this effect was absent in ascorbic acid sufficient guinea-pigs. The extract did not influence the survival time of the scorbutic guinea-pigs. These indications of a partial vitamin C activity on the part of the flavonoids suggest that ascorbic acid is a multifunctional vitamin with its growth-promoting function separate from (and presumably subordinate to) the prevention of scurvy.     

Provision of workers and employees of Kuzbass industrial enterprises with vitamins C, E, A and beta-carotene

The content of vitamins C, E, A and beta-carotene was studied in the blood serum of 404 workers and employees of the Kuzbass industrial enterprises. Insufficient providing of the body with ascorbic acid, tocopherol and beta-carotene has been revealed. The number of workers and employees with vitamin C deficiency comprises at an average 95%, with vitamin E deficiency--9%, and with beta-carotene deficiency--34%. Industrial enterprises characterized by hard physical labor and occupational health hazard have been found to be most unfavourable with respect to providing with vitamins. The results of the investigations conducted have evidenced the necessity of correcting the vitamin nutrition of the subjects studied.     

The effect of bleaching agents on the degradation of vitamins and carotenoids in spray-dried whey protein concentrate

Previous research has shown that bleaching affects flavor and functionality of whey proteins. The role of different bleaching agents on vitamin and carotenoid degradation is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of bleaching whey with traditional annatto (norbixin) by hydrogen peroxide (HP), benzoyl peroxide (BP), or native lactoperoxidase (LP) on vitamin and carotenoid degradation in spray-dried whey protein concentrate 80% protein (WPC80). An alternative colorant was also evaluated. Cheddar whey colored with annatto (15 mL/454 L of milk) was manufactured, pasteurized, and fat separated and then assigned to bleaching treatments of 250 mg/kg HP, 50 mg/kg BP, or 20 mg/kg HP (LP system) at 50°C for 1 h. In addition to a control (whey with norbixin, whey from cheese milk with an alternative colorant (AltC) was evaluated. The control and AltC wheys were also heated to 50°C for 1 h. Wheys were concentrated to 80% protein by ultrafiltration and spray dried. The experiment was replicated in triplicate. Samples were taken after initial milk pasteurization, initial whey formation, after fat separation, after whey pasteurization, after bleaching, and after spray drying for vitamin and carotenoid analyses. Concentrations of retinol, a-tocopherol, water-soluble vitamins, norbixin, and other carotenoids were determined by HPLC, and volatile compounds were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sensory attributes of the rehydrated WPC80 were documented by a trained panel. After chemical or enzymatic bleaching, WPC80 displayed 7.0 to 33.3% reductions in retinol, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, thiamin, α-carotene, and α-tocopherol. The WPC80 bleached with BP contained significantly less of these compounds than the HP- or LP-bleached WPC80. Riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, nicotinic acid, and cobalamin concentrations in fluid whey were not affected by bleaching. Fat-soluble vitamins were reduced in all wheys by more than 90% following curd formation and fat separation. With the exception of cobalamin and ascorbic acid, water-soluble vitamins were reduced by less than 20% throughout processing. Norbixin destruction, volatile compound, and sensory results were consistent with previous studies on bleached WPC80. The WPC80 colored with AltC had a similar sensory profile, volatile compound profile, and vitamin concentration as the control WPC80.     

The effect of various levels of chitosan in rat diet on vitamins assimilation under their combined deficiency

he effect of chitosan inclusion in the semi-synthetic diet of rats at a dose of 0,24 and 0,9% of dry weight on vitamin assimilation under combined moderate and deep deficiency has been studied. Four-week introduction of chitosan did not have a significant effect on levels of vitamins C, B1, B2 and A in the liver of animals, on vitamin B2 blood plasma concentration and thiamine and riboflavin urinary excretion regardless of the degree of vitamin deficiency intensity. The significantly decrease of vitamin E blood plasma concentration has been observed at high dose of chitosan in the diet under moderate vitamin deficiency, whereas under deep deficit such reduction has been detected even at a low dose. Thus, long-term chitosan inclusion in the diet under existing polyhypovitaminosis can lead to the deterioration of the sufficiency with fat-soluble vitamins.     

Changes in vitamin C concentrations in plasma and milk from dairy cows after an intramammary infusion of Escherichia coli

Plasma and milk concentrations of ascorbic acid and dehydro-L-ascorbic acid (DHAA) were measured before and after 21 Holstein cows (approximately 26 DIM) were given an intramammary infusion of Escherichia coli. Blood, milk from the unchallenged quarters, and milk from the challenged gland were sampled immediately before challenge (d 0) and 24 h and 7 d postchallenge. Plasma vitamin C (ascorbic acid + DHAA) concentrations decreased 39%, and concentrations of vitamin C and ascorbic acid in milk from the challenged quarter decreased 52 and 62%, respectively, in samples taken 24 h postchallenge. No change was observed in vitamin C concentrations in milk from unchallenged quarters. The concentration of DHAA in milk from challenged quarters increased 67% 24 h postchallenge. The duration of clinical mastitis, peak body temperature, number of colony-forming units of E. coli isolated from the infected gland, and loss in milk yield were associated with a change in concentration of vitamin C in milk from the challenged quarter. Increased severity of clinical signs was associated with large decreases in concentration of vitamin C in milk from the challenged quarter. Similar, but statistically weaker, relationships were observed for changes in plasma vitamin C concentrations.