The positive effect of vitamin C on left ventricular (LV) inotropic responses to dobutamine, observed in patients with preserved LV function, is lost in heart failure (HF). We tested the hypothesis that in HF, endogenous nitric oxide (NO) opposes the positive effect of vitamin C on adrenergically stimulated contractility by examining the effects of vitamin C on dobutamine responses during NO sy...

In 2008, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the discovery of vitamin C. Since then, we know that vitamin C possesses few pharmacological actions although it is still perceived by the public as a "miracle-pill" capable to heal a variety of illnesses. Cancer is one of the most common diseases for which a beneficial role of vitamin C has been claimed. Thus, its dietary use has been proposed in c...

Acute hypoxia increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) and ventilation (V̇e). It is unknown if these responses are impacted with normal aging, or in patients with enhanced oxidative stress, such as (COPD). The purpose of the study was to 1) investigate the effects of aging and COPD on the cerebrovascular and ventilatory responses to acute hypoxia, and 2) to assess the effect of vitamin C on these res...

BACKGROUND We studied the effect of an antioxidant, the intracoronary infusion of vitamin C, on basal and dobutamine-stimulated left ventricular (LV) contractility. METHODS AND RESULTS Nineteen patients with normal ventricular function participated in this study. A micromanometer-tipped catheter was inserted into the LV. In the experimental group (n=10), an infusion catheter was positioned in...

INTRODUCTION In end-stage renal disease, there is a high incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism. It is proposed that increasing vitamin C levels by dietary supplementation results in a decrease of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in vitamin C-deficient hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. The aim of this study was the evaluation of vitamin C administration for reduction of ser...

loc-Hydroxy[6-3H]vitamin D, has been synthesized with a specific activity of 4 Ci/mmol, and its metabolism in rats has been studied. It is rapidly converted to ln,25-dihydroxy[6-3H]vitamin D, in uiuo. Following an intravenous or oral dose, a maximal concentration of loc,25-dihydroxy[6-3H]vitamin D, is found 2 and 4 hours, respectively, before the maximal intestinal calcium transport response is...

BACKGROUND Vitamin K, a fat soluble vitamin, is a necessary cofactor for the activation of coagulation factors II, VII, IX, X, and protein C and S. In neonatal period, vitamin K deficiency may lead to Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). CASE PRESENTATION We present the case of a 2 months and 20 days Caucasian male, presented for bleeding from the injections sites of vaccines. At birth oral ...

BACKGROUND This small study has determined the effect of vitamin C on myocardial reperfusion in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study was to explore whether antioxidant vitamin C infusion before the procedure is able to affect the incidence of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) in patients undergoing PCI. METHODS In this prospective single-centr...