Macrophage functions in aging: effects of vitamin C deficiency

Groups of young adult and senescent guinea pigs were fed normal and vitamin C deficient diets for 4 weeks and tested for their peritoneal macrophage functions. Serum levels of vitamin C in deficient animals indicated a progressive state of ascorbic acid deficiency and correlated well with the clinical signs and symptoms of scurvy. Fewer macrophages were obtained from the peritoneal cavities of deficient animals and morphologically they were smaller in size. Adverse effects of vitamin C deficiency were enhanced in aged animals. Significantly greater number of aged animals died by 4 weeks of deficiency. Deficient senescent animals had greater decline in macrophage random migration and bactericidal capacity. Following phagocytic stimuli, superoxide anion generation also significantly decreased. Data suggest that vitamin C deficiency might affect macrophage functions in the aged more profoundly and could compromise parameters of host defenses effective against microbial infections.