A new study demonstrated that high doses of vitamin C can restore the Escherichia coli  (e coli) lipopolysaccharide endotoxin induced vascular endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) bioactivity and improve the NO-dependent vasodilatation.

 In the cross-over study published in the April 2014 issue of Vascular Pharmacology, S. Aschauer and colleagues tested endothelial function in 36 male subjects at baseline and 4 hours after administration with 20 IU/kg  i.v. of E. coli endotoxin.  After the endotoxin administration, two high doses of vitamin C (320 mg/kg and 480 mg/kg) were administered over a period of 2 hours.

 It was found that the toxin caused transient flu-like symptoms and decreased serum vitamin C and lowered the endothelial function by up to 76%.  Vitamin C at both doses restored the endothelial function. (David Liu)

 Aschauer S, Gouya G, Klickovic U, Storka A, Weisshaar S, Vollbracht C, Krick B, Weiss G, Wolzt M.  Effect of systemic high dose vitamin C therapy on forearm blood flow reactivity during endotoxemia in healthy human subjects.  Vascul Pharmacol. 2014 Apr;61(1):25-9.