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Quantitation of Endothelial Cell Adhesiveness In Vitro
10:24

Quantitation of Endothelial Cell Adhesiveness In Vitro

Published on: June 18, 2015

Effects of oral vitamin C on monocyte: endothelial cell adhesion in healthy subjects

Kevin J Woollard1, Chris J Loryman, Elizabeth Meredith

  • 1Pharmacology Research Group, PSRI, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|June 21, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin C supplementation can reduce monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells in individuals with low vitamin C levels. This finding suggests a potential benefit for cardiovascular health by normalizing this process.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Nutritional Science
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells is crucial in cardiovascular disease (CVD) pathogenesis.
  • Oxidative stress influences monocyte recruitment, and low plasma ascorbate (vitamin C) is linked to elevated CVD risk.
  • The impact of vitamin C supplementation on monocyte-endothelial cell interactions in healthy individuals is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of vitamin C supplementation on monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs) in healthy non-smokers.
  • To compare these effects in individuals with normal (HIC) versus below-average (LOC) baseline plasma vitamin C concentrations.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, crossover study design was employed.
  • Participants received vitamin C supplementation (250 mg/day) for six weeks.
  • Monocyte adhesion to ECs and plasma malondialdehyde concentrations were measured at baseline and after supplementation.

Main Results:

  • Subjects with below-average vitamin C (LOC) exhibited significantly greater monocyte adhesion to ECs compared to those with normal levels (HIC).
  • Vitamin C supplementation reduced monocyte adhesion by 37% in LOC subjects, normalizing it to HIC levels.
  • No significant differences in plasma malondialdehyde were observed between groups or after supplementation, suggesting an effect independent of lipid peroxidation.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin C supplementation effectively normalizes excessive monocyte adhesion in individuals with low plasma vitamin C.
  • This normalization may occur through a direct effect on monocytes, independent of changes in lipid peroxidation.
  • These findings highlight a potential mechanism by which vitamin C influences cardiovascular health.

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