[Vitamin C and phagocytic system: present status and perspectives (author's transl)]

Host defence mechanisms against microbial invasion requires an adequate number and function of phagocytic cells. There is evidence that vitamin C, which has been claimed to play a role in several aspects of host defence mechanisms, is involved significantly at least in phagocytic function. Vitamin C has been shown to interfere with oxidative metabolism, bactericidal power and chemotaxis of neutrophil granulocytes. The authors present evidence that, in vitro, vitamin C stimulates the true chemotactic response of normal human granulocytes. In addition the results of clinical trials in patients with recurrent infections and primary deficiencies of neutrophil function are presented. In such patients vitamin C therapy induced the restoration of impaired functions. A significant clinical improvement was also seen in the majority of cases. Vitamin C represents the specific therapy for primary defects of phagocytic function in patients with recurrent infections.