Ascorbic acid and cholesterol levels in patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease

Indian and black patients admitted to King Edward VIII and R. K. Khan Hospitals with a diagnosis of cardiac infarction and diabetes mellitus were studied. The mean serum cholesterol levels were higher in the indian group. This preliminary study suggests a negative correlation between leucocyte ascorbic acid and serum cholesterol levels in Indians, especially in patients with infarction. This, however, does not preclude an effect of latent ascorbic acid deficiency on the vessel wall. The possible relevance of the findings to the development of atherosclerosis is discussed.