ACMN Editors's blog

This article is a great review of the state of play with Vitamin C in cancer treatment, highlighting the importance of quality of life and the complications that come about at end of life as a result of cancer treatment. it gives a review of the current understanding of vitamin C use as an adjunct to conventional cancer treratment, highlighting the stabilising role that high dose C has on inflammatory reactions associated with conventional treatments.

Abstract:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia that occurs postoperatively in cardiac surgery. There is evidence for the role of oxidative stress in the etiology of AF. In our study, we examined whether antioxidant ascorbic acid (vitamin C), could help in the reduction of the incidence of postoperative AF.

"These antitumor effects of ascorbate are mainly based on its extracellular action and, in addition to the induction of apoptosis, also include an anti-proliferative effect by inducing cell cycle arrest."

Cell cycle arrest is when growth/replication of cancer cells (or other cells) is stopped or interfered with.

Similar to apoptosis, cell cycle arrest requires the expression of genes that control the cell cycle.

The first stage, or “checkpoint” when a cell divides is moving from a phase called G0 to the next phase G1.

Background

An increased rate of brain atrophy is often observed in older subjects, in particular those who suffer from cognitive decline. Homocysteine is a risk factor for brain atrophy, cognitive impairment and dementia. Plasma concentrations of homocysteine can be lowered by dietary administration of B vitamins.

Results

Abstract

AIM:
The aim of this study was to test for the influence of ascorbic acid on tumorigenicity and metastases of implanted PAIII prostate cancer adenocarcinoma cells in syngeneic LW rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Hormone-refractory prostate cancer PAIII cells were implanted subcutaneously into immunologically intact, Lobund-Wistar (LW) rats. Intraperitoneal pharmacological doses of ascorbic acid were administered each day for the ensuing 30 days. On the 40th day, animals were sacrificed. Local tumor weights were measured, and metastases were counted.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Anecdotal information and case reports suggest that intravenously administered vitamin C is used by Complementary and Alternate Medicine (CAM) practitioners. The scale of such use in the U.S. and associated side effects are unknown.

METHODS AND FINDINGS:

A high dose of Vitamin C (as sodium ascorbate) kills mesothelioma cells in vitro.

When the cells were injected as a xenograft into mice, tumor growth was significantly decreased in mice receiving high dose sodium ascorbate compared to control mice (no vitamin C).

Abstract:

This paper by Dr John Wilson discusses the potential usefulness of using Vitamin C for the treatment of septic shock. As with most things serious, the earlier the treatment the better. The article is quite technical and complex, it is unfortunately for the reader a technical and complex problem.

If you are not familiar with this sort of research, or are struggling with some of the terms, we recommend that you read the Endotoxin and Vitamin C newsletter attached at the bottom of this column before you start on Dr Wilson's excellent paper.

Pretreatment with Ascorbic Acid Prevents Lethal Gastrointestinal Syndrome in Mice Receiving a Massive Amount of Radiation

Original study authors:
Yamamoto T, Kinoshita M, Shinomiya N, Hiroi S, Sugasawa H, Matsushita Y, Majima T, Saitoh D, Seki S.

Abstract:

Prevention Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, Derby, CT 06418, USA.

OBJECTIVES:
Intravenous micronutrient therapy (IVMT), and specifically the Myers' Cocktail, is a popular approach for treating fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) among
complementary and alternative medicine practitioners, but its efficacy is uncertain. This trial assessed the feasibility, safety, and provided insights into the efficacy of this therapy.

DESIGN: