PMID: 

Arch Biochem Biophys. 2005 Aug 15 ;440(2):165-72. PMID: 16054587

Abstract Title: 

Ascorbate uptake and antioxidant function in peritoneal macrophages.

Abstract: 

Since activated macrophages generate potentially deleterious reactive oxygen species, we studied whether ascorbic acid might function as an antioxidant in these cells. Thioglycollate-elicited murine peritoneal macrophages contained about 3 mM ascorbate that was halved by culture in ascorbate-free medium. However, the cells took up added ascorbate to concentrations of 6-8 mM by a high-affinity sodium-dependent transport mechanism. This likely reflected the activity of the SVCT2 ascorbate transporter, since its message and protein were present in the cells. Activation of the cells by phagocytosis of latex particles depleted intracellular ascorbate, although not below the basal levels present in the cells in culture. Glutathione (GSH) was unaffected by phagocytosis, suggesting that ascorbate was more sensitive to the oxidant stress of phagocytosis than GSH. Phagocytosis induced a modest increase in reactive oxygen species as well as a progressive loss of alpha-tocopherol, both of which were prevented in cells loaded with ascorbate. These results suggest that activated macrophages can use ascorbate to lessen self-generated oxidant stress and spare alpha-tocopherol, which may protect these long-lived cells from necrosis or apoptosis.

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Lavender has been used for medicinal purposes for over 2,500 years. Today lavender is the most popular essential oil in the world. Here are just 7 proven uses for this amazing oil

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has been used for medicinal purposes for over 2,500 years especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

Ancient Persians, Greeks, and Romans added lavender flowers to their bathwater. The name itself comes from the Latin “lavare” meaning to wash. The Egyptians used lavender as a perfume, as well as for mummification.

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PMID: 

J Med Virol. 2020 05 ;92(5):479-490. Epub 2020 Mar 3. PMID: 32052466

Abstract Title: 

Potential interventions for novel coronavirus in China: A systematic review.

Abstract: 

An outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19 or 2019-CoV) infection has posed significant threats to international health and the economy. In the absence of treatment for this virus, there is an urgent need to find alternative methods to control the spread of disease. Here, we have conducted an online search for all treatment options related to coronavirus infections as well as some RNA-virus infection and we have found that general treatments, coronavirus-specific treatments, and antiviral treatments should be useful in fighting COVID-19. We suggest that the nutritional status of each infected patient should be evaluated before the administration of general treatments and the current children's RNA-virus vaccines including influenza vaccine should be immunized for uninfected people and health care workers. In addition, convalescent plasma should be given to COVID-19 patients if it is available. In conclusion, we suggest that all the potential interventions be implemented to control the emerging COVID-19 if the infection is uncontrollable.

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PMID: 

Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2006 ;34(1-2):315-21. PMID: 16543652

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin C supplementation could reverse diabetes-induced endothelial cell dysfunction in mesenteric microcirculation in STZ-rats.

Abstract: 

This paper was aimed to study whether vitamin C supplementation reverses the diabetes-induced endothelial cell dysfunction occurred in streptozotocin (STZ)-rats or not. The animals were divided into four groups: control and diabetes rats (DM, using iv. injection of 50 mg/kg.bw STZ), and two DM rats treated with vitamin C (1 g/l) starting on day 2 (DM + VitC(day2)) and week 6th after STZ-injection (DM + VitC(6wks)). The mesenteric microcirculation was observed using fluorescence videomicroscopy. Based on the recorded videoimages, microvascular responses to acetylcholine (Ach; 10-5 M) and number densities of leukocyte adhesion in venules were evaluated using the Global Lab II image software. In DM group, blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were significantly increased, while the body weight and plasma vitamin C levels were decreased significantly compared to their controls. Ach-induced vasodilation was decreased, while the number of leukocyte adhesion was increased significantly compared to their controls (p

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PMID: 

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2006 Feb ;52(1):28-32. PMID: 16637227

Abstract Title: 

Ascorbic acid deficiency stimulates hepatic expression of inflammatory chemokine, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1, in scurvy-prone ODS rats.

Abstract: 

ODS rat has a hereditary defect in ascorbic acid biosynthesis and is a useful animal model for elucidating the physiological role of ascorbic acid. We previously demonstrated by using ODS rats that ascorbic acid deficiency changes the hepatic gene expression of acute phase proteins, as seen in acute inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effects of ascorbic acid deficiency on the production of inflammatory chemokine, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1), in ODS rats. Male ODS rats (6 wk of age) were fed a basal diet containing ascorbic acid (300 mg/kg diet) or a diet without ascorbic acid for 14 d. Obvious symptoms of scurvy were not observed in the ascorbic acid-deficient rats. Ascorbic acid deficiency significantly elevated the serum concentration of CINC-1 on d 14. The liver and spleen CINC-1 concentrations in the ascorbic acid-deficient rats were significantly elevated to 600% and 180% of the respective values in the control rats. However, the lung concentration of CINC-1 was not affected by ascorbic acid deficiency. Ascorbic acid deficiency significantly elevated the hepatic mRNA level of CINC-1 (to 480% of the value in the control rats), but not the lung mRNA level. These results demonstrate that ascorbic acid deficiency elevates the serum, liver and spleen concentrations of CINC-1 as seen in acute inflammation, and suggest that ascorbic acid deficiency stimulate the hepatic CINC-1 gene expression.

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While multiple cities in the US roll-out mandatory use of masks in public, the WHO’s 2020 guidance recommends against wearing masks in community settings because of a lack of supporting scientific evidence and the potential for increased disease transmission through improper use.

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While multiple cities in the US roll-out mandatory use of masks in public, the WHO’s 2020 guidance recommends against wearing masks in community settings because of a lack of supporting scientific evidence and the potential harms of improper use.

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PMID: 

J Chemother. 2006 Apr ;18(2):182-7. PMID: 16736887

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin C modulation of cisplatin-induced cytogenotoxicity in bone marrow, spermatogonia and its transmission in the male germline of Swiss mice.

Abstract: 

Relative modulatory effects of three different doses of vitamin C (VC), 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, on cytogenotoxicity induced by cisplatin (CP) 5 mg/kg were assessed from the comparison of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and mitotic index in bone marrow cells, micronucleus test (MNT) in polychromatic erythrocytes from the somatic cell line and spermatogonial chromosome aberrations (SCAs), primary spermatocytic chromosome analysis and sperm morphology assay from the male germline of VC-pretreated and CP-alone treated mice. Each pretreatment dose of VC protected bone marrow cells from the CP-induced cytogenotoxicity by decreasing the aberrant metaphases, CAs and MN significantly, particularly the lower doses. The protection was inversely proportional to the pretreated dose of VC i.e., the higher the dose of VC the less protection was provided. The lower doses of VC also protected the spermatogonial cells by significantly decreasing the CP-induced aberrant metaphases and SCAs, whereas the highest dose potentiated such effects by increasing them significantly. Besides, transmission of CP-induced cytogenotoxicity in the male germline was enhanced significantly in all VC pretreated mice, resulting in an increase in the frequency of aberrant prima ry spermatocytes and abnormal sperm. Since the spermatogonial cells with gross effects were eliminated/died, the tolerable effects stabilized in some of them were transmitted through the male germline with the consequent increase in the manifestation of aberrant primary spermatocytes and abnormal sperm. However, VC failed to decrease in the transmission of such effects. Thus, the protective action of VC was dose dependent and tissue specific. Moreover, the time of VC treatment i.e., its pre- or post-treatment to the exposure of cells to cytogenotoxic substances is important in providing protection from or potentiation of the cytogenotoxic effects.

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PMID: 

J Nutr. 2006 Oct ;136(10):2606-10. PMID: 16988134

Abstract Title: 

Immunity and antioxidant capacity in humans is enhanced by consumption of a dried, encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice concentrate.

Abstract: 

The daily consumption of fruits and vegetables is a common dietary recommendation to support good health. We hypothesized that a commercially available encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrate (FVJC) could support functional indices of health due to increased intake of various phytonutrients. This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled investigation of 59 healthy law students who consumed either FVJC or placebo capsules for 77 d. Blood was collected on d 1, 35, and 77 to examine the number of circulating alphabeta- and gammadelta-T cells, cytokine production, lymphocyte DNA damage, antioxidant status, and levels of carotenoids and vitamin C. A log of illnesses and symptoms was also kept. The FVJC group tended to have fewer total symptoms than the placebo group (P

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PMID: 

Nutrition. 2006 Nov-Dec;22(11-12):1192-201. PMID: 17095405

Abstract Title: 

Alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid supplementation reduced acute lung inflammatory response by cigarette smoke in mouse.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: Short-term cigarette smoke (CS) exposure leads to acute lung inflammation through its influence over oxidants/antioxidants imbalance. Antioxidant vitamins such as ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol interact with oxidizing radicals. It is not clear if antioxidant supplementation can reduce inflammatory lung responses. Thus our aim was to analyze the effects of vitamin supplementation on the lungs of mice exposed to six cigarettes per day with histologic, cytological, and biochemical methods.METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were exposed to ambient air (control) or CS from 3, 6, 9, 12, or 15 cigarettes daily for up to 5 d. Mice alveolar macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells were counted in the bronchoalveolar lavage. Groups of CS animals received 50 mg/kg of ascorbic acid daily and/or 50 mg/kg of alpha-tocopherol daily as an oral supplementation (CS+C, CS+E, CS+C+E, respectively) 12 h before CS exposure. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were detected and western blot to nuclear factor-kappaB were performed in lung extracts; metalloprotease-12 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha positive alveolar macrophages were quantified in the lungs processed for immunohistochemistry of the animals exposed to the smoke from six cigarettes daily for 5 d.RESULTS: The number of alveolar macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells in bronchoalveolar lavage (cells x 10(3)/mL) in mice exposed to CS were increased and CS with vitamin supplementation groups presented bronchoalveolar lavage cells similar to those of control. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances values were reduced in vitamin supplementation groups when compared with CS and the lower value was found in the CS+C+E group. Metalloprotease-12 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were more evident in CS as much as nuclear factor-kappaB activation when compared with control and vitamin supplementation groups.CONCLUSION: Our results showed that CS induced acute lung inflammation. The inflammatory process after cigarette exposures was reduced by ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, or more efficiently by both vitamin supplementations.

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