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Vitamin C improves endothelial dysfunction in renal allograft recipients
M J Williams1, W H Sutherland, M P McCormick
1Department of Medicine, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Summary
Antioxidant vitamin C therapy improves blood vessel function in kidney transplant recipients. This study shows vitamin C (ascorbic acid) enhances endothelial function and protects against lipoprotein oxidation.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is a known complication in renal allograft recipients.
- The impact of antioxidant vitamin therapy on this specific patient group's endothelial function remains uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of vitamin C supplementation on endothelial function in renal transplant recipients.
- To assess vitamin C's impact on the oxidative stability of lipoproteins in this population.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, cross-over study involving thirteen renal allograft recipients.
- Participants received either vitamin C or placebo orally.
- Flow-mediated (endothelium-dependent) and glyceryltrinitrate-induced (endothelium-independent) brachial artery dilation were measured.
Main Results:
- Oral vitamin C administration significantly increased plasma vitamin C levels.
- Endothelium-dependent vasodilation improved significantly following vitamin C treatment, but not placebo.
- Endothelium-independent dilation showed no significant change.
- Vitamin C increased the resistance of serum lipoproteins to oxidation.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin C acutely enhances flow-mediated, endothelium-dependent vasodilation in renal transplant recipients.
- Vitamin C supplementation also improves the resistance of lipoproteins to oxidation in this patient group.