Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
Generation of Lymphocytic Microparticles and Detection of their Proapoptotic Effect on Airway Epithelial Cells
Published on: February 20, 2015
The LPS-induced increase in circulating microparticles is not affected by vitamin C in humans
Stefan Weisshaar1, Ghazaleh Gouya, Daniel Nguyen
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Objective:
Microparticles (MP) are considered to promote coagulation. This study aimed to characterize the time course of MP levels and the effect of high-dose vitamin C on MP formation during inflammation in an in vivo Escherichia coli endotoxin (LPS) model.
Methods:
Microparticle formation was studied in 14 male subjects in a cross-over trial who received either intravenous vitamin C at 320 mg/kg body weight (BW) or 480 mg/kg BW or saline solution in a random order on alternate trial days 3 h after intravenous exposure to LPS (2 ng/kg BW). Venous blood samples were taken before, 3 and 6 h after LPS. D-dimer, leucocyte count, C-reactive protein, plasma vitamin C and body temperature were assessed as inflammatory parameters. MP were detected using flow cytometric analysis and expressed in 10³ MP/mL plasma.
Results:
Microparticles levels were decreased from baseline 848 units [range 431-1705] by 21% to 671 units [253-1586] at 3 h and increased by 32% to 1119 units [288-4443] at 6 h after LPS. This pattern was not influenced by administration of vitamin C, with a change from 730 units [399-1396] at baseline by an increase to 832 units [215-2168] at 3 h to 1055 units [350-4858] at 6 h. MP subpopulations followed similar dynamics. Alterations in inflammatory parameters were independent from vitamin C administration during endotoxemia.
Conclusion:
Microparticles are increased in acute systemic inflammation with inconsistent changes in MP subgroups in healthy subjects. Systemic vitamin C administration does not mitigate MP formation and D-dimer levels during acute systemic inflammation, suggesting that MP-induced coagulation activity is not affected by vitamin C.
Insights
High-dose vitamin C did not affect microparticle formation during acute inflammation in a human endotoxin model. Microparticle levels increased following endotoxin exposure, independent of vitamin C administration.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Hematology
- Inflammation research
Background:
- Microparticles (MPs) are implicated in promoting coagulation.
- Understanding MP dynamics during inflammation is crucial for managing thrombotic risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the time course of microparticle (MP) levels during acute inflammation.
- To evaluate the impact of high-dose vitamin C on MP formation in an endotoxin-induced inflammation model.
Main Methods:
- A crossover trial involving 14 male subjects exposed to Escherichia coli endotoxin (LPS).
- Administration of intravenous vitamin C (320 or 480 mg/kg BW) or saline.
- Flow cytometric analysis of MP levels and assessment of inflammatory markers (D-dimer, CRP, leukocyte count).
Main Results:
- Microparticle levels increased at 3 and 6 hours post-LPS exposure.
- Vitamin C administration did not alter the time course of MP levels.
- Inflammatory parameters and D-dimer levels remained unaffected by vitamin C treatment.
Conclusions:
- Acute systemic inflammation leads to increased microparticle levels in healthy subjects.
- Systemic vitamin C does not mitigate MP formation or associated coagulation activity during endotoxemia.
- Vitamin C does not appear to influence MP-induced coagulation during acute inflammation.
