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Therapeutic potential of mega-dose vitamin C to reverse organ dysfunction in sepsis and COVID-19
  • Clive May,
  • Rinaldo Bellomo,
  • Yugeesh Lankadeva
Clive May
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Rinaldo Bellomo
The University of Melbourne
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Yugeesh Lankadeva
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
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Abstract

Sepsis causes multi-organ dysfunction and is a major cause of death in intensive care units, but there are no treatments that reverse the pathophysiological effects of sepsis. Vitamin C has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and immune modulatory actions, so is a potential treatment for sepsis. Recent clinical trials of high-doses of intravenous vitamin C (6-16 g/day) had variable effects. Since much higher doses are without side-effects in cancer and burns patients, we studied the effects of a mega-dose of intravenous sodium ascorbate (150 g/40 kg) in a clinically relevant ovine model of sepsis. This treatment dramatically improved the clinical state and over 3-7-h improved cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic and renal function and reduced body temperature. In a critically ill COVID-19 patient, intravenous sodium ascorbate (60 g) restored arterial pressure, improved renal function and increased arterial blood oxygen levels. Clinical trials are testing the effectiveness of mega-dose vitamin C in septic patients.
18 Mar 2021Submitted to British Journal of Pharmacology
19 Mar 2021Submission Checks Completed
19 Mar 2021Assigned to Editor
21 Mar 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 May 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 May 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
13 May 20211st Revision Received
13 May 2021Submission Checks Completed
13 May 2021Assigned to Editor
16 May 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
22 May 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 May 2021Editorial Decision: Accept