Oral Vitamin C Supplementation in Hemodialysis Patients and Its Effect on the Plasma Level of Oxidized Ascorbic Acid and Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase, an Oxidative Stress Marker

Background/Aim: Oxidative stress is known to be enhanced in hemodialysis patients, and one of its useful markers is plasma copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD). The increase in plasma Cu/Zn-SOD can be inhibited by orally administered lipid-soluble vitamin E. We examined the antioxidative effects of water-soluble vitamin C administered orally on Cu/Zn-SOD levels in hemodialysis patients. Methods: Vitamin C was orally administered to 16 maintenance hemodialysis patients before each dialysis session. Doses were increased from 200 to 1,000 mg over 3 months. The levels of plasma vitamin C and Cu/Zn-SOD and its mRNA expression in leukocytes were determined 1, 2, and 3 months after the start of vitamin C administration. Furthermore, the levels of oxidized and reduced forms of plasma vitamin C were determined before the start of vitamin C administration and before and after dialysis at 1,000-mg vitamin C doses. Results: Following oral administration, the plasma levels of vitamin C and its oxidized form were increased. However, significant changes in plasma Cu/Zn-SOD or its mRNA expression in leukocytes were not observed. Conclusion: In maintenance hemodialysis patients, vitamin C administration resulted in a significant increase in the postdialysis level of the oxidized form of vitamin C, which suggested an increase in antioxidant effect. However, water-soluble vitamin C did not significantly suppress Cu/Zn-SOD expression enhancement.