Review: When is an antioxidant not an antioxidant? A review of novel actions and reactions of vitamin C
- PMID: 16036346
- DOI: 10.1080/10715760500104025
Review: When is an antioxidant not an antioxidant? A review of novel actions and reactions of vitamin C
Abstract
Vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) is regarded as the most important water-soluble antioxidant in human plasma and mammalian cells which have mechanisms to recycle and accumulate it against a concentration gradient, suggesting that the vitamin might also have important intracellular functions. In this review we summarize evidence from human trials that have attempted an association between vitamin C supplementation and an effect on biomarkers of oxidative DNA damage. Most studies reviewed herein showed either a vitamin C-mediated reduction in oxidative DNA damage or a null effect, whereas only a few studies showed an increase in specific base lesions. We also address the possible beneficial effects of vitamin C supplementation for the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Finally, we discuss the contribution of cell culture studies to our understanding of the mode of action of vitamin C and we review recent evidence that vitamin C is able to modulate gene expression and cellular function, with a particular interest in cell differentiation.
Similar articles
-
Life-long vitamin C supplementation in combination with cold exposure does not affect oxidative damage or lifespan in mice, but decreases expression of antioxidant protection genes.Mech Ageing Dev. 2006 Dec;127(12):897-904. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2006.09.008. Epub 2006 Nov 7. Mech Ageing Dev. 2006. PMID: 17092545
-
Fibrinogen is a co-antioxidant that supplements the vitamin E analog trolox in a model system.Free Radic Res. 2006 Mar;40(3):321-31. doi: 10.1080/10715760500488998. Free Radic Res. 2006. PMID: 16484048
-
Free radicals, metals and antioxidants in oxidative stress-induced cancer.Chem Biol Interact. 2006 Mar 10;160(1):1-40. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2005.12.009. Epub 2006 Jan 23. Chem Biol Interact. 2006. PMID: 16430879 Review.
-
Pro-oxidative vs antioxidative properties of ascorbic acid in chromium(VI)-induced damage: an in vivo and in vitro approach.J Appl Toxicol. 2005 Nov-Dec;25(6):535-48. doi: 10.1002/jat.1093. J Appl Toxicol. 2005. PMID: 16092082
-
Antioxidants, DNA damage and gene expression.Free Radic Res. 2000 Nov;33 Suppl:S33-9. Free Radic Res. 2000. PMID: 11191273 Review.
Cited by
-
A comprehensive review on botany, chemical composition and the impacts of heat processing and dehydration on the aroma formation of fresh carrot.Food Chem X. 2024 Feb 8;22:101201. doi: 10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101201. eCollection 2024 Jun 30. Food Chem X. 2024. PMID: 38550883 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Assessment of developmental rate of mouse embryos yielded from in vitro fertilization of the oocyte with treatment of melatonin and vitamin C simultaneously.BMC Womens Health. 2023 Oct 4;23(1):525. doi: 10.1186/s12905-023-02673-w. BMC Womens Health. 2023. PMID: 37794412 Free PMC article.
-
Endogenous and Exogenous Antioxidants as Agents Preventing the Negative Effects of Contrast Media (Contrast-Induced Nephropathy).Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Jul 28;16(8):1077. doi: 10.3390/ph16081077. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023. PMID: 37630992 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Association between dietary antioxidant quality score and severity of coronavirus infection: a case-control study.Front Nutr. 2023 Jul 6;10:1174113. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1174113. eCollection 2023. Front Nutr. 2023. PMID: 37485392 Free PMC article.
-
Role of vitamin C and rectal indomethacin in preventing and alleviating post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: a clinical study.Clin Endosc. 2023 Mar;56(2):214-220. doi: 10.5946/ce.2022.165. Epub 2023 Mar 6. Clin Endosc. 2023. PMID: 37013392 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Medical
