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Vitamin C: The next step in sepsis management?
J Teng1, A Pourmand1, M Mazer-Amirshahi2
1Emergency Medicine Department, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States.
Journal of Critical Care
|September 22, 2017
Summary
Vitamin C may help reduce inflammation and improve blood flow in sepsis patients. More research is needed to confirm if vitamin C (ascorbic acid) benefits sepsis and septic shock treatment.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Sepsis affects millions globally, causing organ dysfunction and high mortality despite current treatments.
- Sepsis involves severe inflammation and hemodynamic instability.
- Novel therapies are needed to improve sepsis outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiological role of vitamin C.
- To examine the emerging evidence for vitamin C in sepsis and septic shock.
- To assess vitamin C's potential as an adjunctive therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of physiological roles and clinical studies.
- Analysis of existing data on vitamin C administration in sepsis.
- Discussion of antioxidant and hormonal synthesis roles of vitamin C.
Main Results:
- Vitamin C has antioxidant properties and influences key mediators like cortisol and vasopressin.
- Preliminary data suggests vitamin C may reduce inflammation and improve hemodynamics in sepsis.
- Further clinical evidence is required to validate these findings.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin C plays a crucial role in inflammatory and hemodynamic regulation.
- Emerging evidence suggests potential benefits of vitamin C in sepsis management.
- More rigorous studies are necessary to establish vitamin C's efficacy in sepsis treatment.