Effect of Vitamin C Supplementation on C-reactive Protein Levels in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
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Vajihe Biniaz1, Mehdi Sadeghi Shermeh2, Abbas Ebadi2
1Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Insights
Vitamin C supplementation significantly reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in hemodialysis patients, indicating its potential to combat chronic inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Clinical Nutrition
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Chronic inflammation is a primary driver of cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patients.
- Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, shows promise in mitigating inflammatory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of vitamin C supplementation on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.
- To assess vitamin C's efficacy in reducing inflammation markers in hemodialysis patients.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial involving 151 hemodialysis patients.
- Intervention group received 250 mg intravenous vitamin C thrice weekly for 8 weeks.
- Control groups received placebo saline or no intervention.
Main Results:
- Median CRP levels decreased significantly in the vitamin C group (10.7 mg/L) compared to placebo and no intervention groups (22.6 and 30.6 mg/L, respectively).
- Hypertension and diabetes were prevalent comorbidities (79.4%).
- The study included 86 males and 55 females with a mean age of 61.36 years.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin C supplementation effectively modifies C-reactive protein levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
- These findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for vitamin C in managing inflammation in this patient population.
Background:
Chronic inflammation is the most important cause of cardiovascular disease in patients undergoing hemodialysis, and vitamin C as a major antioxidant which could be effective to suppress inflammation.
Objectives:
This study was performed to evaluate the effect of vitamin C supplementation on C-reactive protein levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Patients And Methods:
This randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blind trial was conducted on 151 patients on hemodialysis who were divided randomly by lottery method to three identical groups. In the intervention group, 250 mg of vitamin C was injected intravenously immediately at the end of each hemodialysis session three times a week for 8 weeks in a row. In the control group 1, same term of placebo saline was injected, and in the control group 2, no intervention was performed.
Results:
A total of 86 (61%) male and 55 female patients with mean hemodialysis duration of 39.74 ± 45.5 months, and a mean age of 61.36 ± 11.46 years-old, participated in this study. Hypertension and diabetes were the most common underlying diseases (79.4%). Median baseline CRP in the intervention, control 1 and control 2 groups were 16.8, 17.8, and 19.4 mg/L respectively. After 2 months, median CRP reduced significantly in the vitamin C group to 10.7 (P = 0.04) vs. 22.6, and 30.6 mg/L in control groups.
Conclusions:
Our findings demonstrated that vitamin C supplementation modifies the levels of CRP in patients on hemodialysis.
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