Therapeutic potential of mega-dose vitamin C to reverse organ
dysfunction in sepsis and COVID-19
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.