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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

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Ascorbic acid lowers central blood pressure and asymmetric dimethylarginine in chronic kidney disease

Keith Gillis1,2, Kathryn K Stevens1,2, Elizabeth Bell2

  • 1Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

Clinical Kidney Journal
|August 11, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) improves antioxidant capacity and reduces blood pressure in patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease. It also lowers a key marker of vascular dysfunction in CKD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is linked to premature cardiovascular disease, often unexplained by traditional risk factors.
  • Oxidative stress and resulting endothelial/vascular dysfunction are implicated in CKD-related cardiovascular complications.
  • This study compares the effects of ascorbic acid in CKD patients versus hypertension (HTN) controls.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of ascorbic acid on oxidative stress and vascular function in CKD patients.
  • To compare these effects against a control group with hypertension (HTN).

Main Methods:

  • A crossover study design was employed, administering intravenous saline and ascorbic acid.
  • Key biomarkers of oxidative stress were measured.
  • Vascular function was assessed using pulse wave analysis and flow-mediated dilation (FMD).

Main Results:

  • Serum ascorbic acid levels were lower in CKD patients.
  • Ascorbic acid increased antioxidant potential and superoxide levels in both groups.
  • Significant reduction in asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) was observed in the CKD group.
  • Central blood pressure and augmentation index decreased in both HTN and CKD groups, with no effect on FMD.

Conclusions:

  • Ascorbic acid exhibits both pro- and antioxidant effects, reducing central blood pressure and augmentation index in HTN and CKD.
  • The reduction of serum ADMA by ascorbic acid in CKD patients may offer long-term cardiovascular benefits.
Abstract

Keywords:
antioxidantsarterial stiffnesschronic kidney diseaseendothelial dysfunctionoxidative stress

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