Related Experiment Videos
The effect of ascorbate on cellular humoral immunity in asthmatic children
Insights
This study found that ascorbate supplementation improved immune function in children with asthma. Immune parameters normalized after six months of therapy, suggesting a beneficial role for vitamin C in managing pediatric asthma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Bronchial asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction are common in children.
- Immune system dysfunction may play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma.
- Standard therapy for asthma may benefit from immune-modulating supplements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunological effects of ascorbate (vitamin C) supplementation in children with asthma.
- To assess changes in cellular and humoral immune functions following ascorbate therapy.
- To evaluate the impact of ascorbate on specific allergen sensitization.
Main Methods:
- Immunological assessment of 10 White children with asthma before and after 6 months of standard therapy plus 1g/day ascorbate.
- Tests included neutrophil function (chemotaxis, phagocytosis, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction) and lymphocyte transformation.
- Humoral immunity was assessed via immunoglobulins, complement levels, and C-reactive protein; radio-allergosorbent testing (RAST) for common allergens was also performed.
Main Results:
- Neutrophil motility, lymphocyte transformation, and antistreptolysin O (ASO) levels, initially depressed or elevated in some children, normalized after 6 months of ascorbate supplementation.
- Serum total IgE levels decreased, while specific IgE levels remained unchanged.
- Reduced serum alpha 1-antitrypsin levels in two children did not change during the study.
Conclusions:
- Ascorbate supplementation, as an adjunct to standard therapy, appears to normalize certain immune functions in children with bronchial asthma.
- Vitamin C may play a role in improving immune status in pediatric asthma patients.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms and long-term effects of ascorbate in asthma management.
Abstract:
Ten White children with bronchial asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction were assessed immunologically before and 1, 3 and 6 months after the commencement of standard therapy supplemented with ascorbate 1 g/d. The tests of cellular immune function were neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis and resting and stimulated nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, and lymphocyte mitogen-induced transformation. Humoral functions measured were secretory IgA, serum immunoglobulins, alpha 1-antitrypsin, C3, C4 and total haemolytic complement, antistreptolysin O (ASO) and C-reactive protein. Radio-allergosorbent testing to the common allergens Cynodon dactylon (grass), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (mite), house dust and cat epithelium was performed on each child before and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Two children had depressed neutrophil motility, 4 had depressed lymphocyte transformation, and 7 had elevated levels of ASO. These functions normalized after 6 months of ascorbate-supplemented therapy. Serum total IgE levels but not specific IgE levels were likewise reduced after 6 months of therapy. Reduced levels of serum alpha 1-antitrypsin were observed in 2 children, and remained unchanged throughout the study.