Characterization of guinea pigs adapted to differently high vitamin C supplies 1. Blood-levels of cholesterol, glucose, triacylglycerides and hemoglobin

Background: Striae gravidarum, a clinical condition commonly seen in pregnant women, produces serious cosmetic problems and may lead to psychological problems. Aim: The present study investigated whether there was any relation between the presence of striae in primigravid pregnant women and blood vitamin C levels, and factors thought to contribute to the formation of striae such as family history, weight gained during pregnancy, smoking status, abdominal and thigh circumference, and age. Methods: Overall, 69 primigravid women attending routine antenatal follow-up and, using prophylactic iron and vitamin preparations, underwent investigation. All were pregnant 36 or more weeks. Scoring was based on striae examination and whether striae were present. The relation between the presence of striae, vitamin C blood levels, and other factors was investigated. Results and Conclusions: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant relation between the presence of striae and blood vitamin C levels (p = 0.046) and between the presence of striae and family history (p = 0.023). No significant relation was found between the presence of striae and age, weight gained during pregnancy, abdominal and thigh circumference, or smoking status. It was concluded that further, more comprehensive studies on the issue are required.

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Liver Histological Improvement After Administration of High-Dose Vitamin C in Guinea Pig with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000515 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 88 (5-6) ◽

pp. 263-269

Author(s):

Seong-Hoon Park ◽

A Lum Han ◽

Na-Hyung Kim ◽

Sae-Ron Shin

Keyword(s):

Liver Biopsy ◽

Vitamin C ◽

Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis ◽

Guinea Pigs ◽

Normal Diet ◽

High Dose ◽

Biochemical Tests ◽

Deficient Diet ◽

Histological Improvement ◽

Vit C

Abstract. Background: Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant, and the health effects of vitamin C megadoses have not been validated despite the apparent health benefits. Therefore, the present study sought to confirm the effects of vitamin C megadoses. Materials and Methods : Four groups of six guinea pigs were used. Each group was fed one of the following diets for three weeks: normal diet, methionine choline-deficient diet, methionine choline-deficient diet + vitamin C megadose (MCD + vit C 2.5 g/kg/day), and methionine-choline deficient diet + ursodeoxycholic acid (MCD + UDCA 30 mg/kg/day). The MCD diet was given to induce nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and UDCA was used to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Three weeks after initial diet administration, the results of biochemical tests and liver biopsy were compared between the groups. Results: The cytoplasm state was similar in the MCD + vit C and MCD + UDCA groups, exhibiting clearing of the cytoplasm and ballooning degeneration. However, macrovesicular steatosis was not observed in the MCD + vit C group. Aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were elevated significantly following vitamin C administration. Conclusions: The present study confirmed that alone vitamin C megadoses are potential remedies for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, based on the liver biopsy results of guinea pigs that were unable to synthesize vitamin C.

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