Vitamin C Supplementation Reduces Peroxidative Damage without Improving Lung Function in Childhood Asthma

Objective: This study was designed to assess the effects of vitamin C supplementation on the lung function tests and peroxidative damage in asthmatic children. Methodology: Fifteen asthmatics aged between 8 - 14 years, all in the stable state were used in this study. Three millilitres of blood were drawn from the antecubital vein of each subject before vitamin C supplementation, for the measurement of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA). Lung function tests were performed. Thereafter, each subject was given a vitamin C supplementation at a dose of 100mg three times daily for six weeks. After which, all previous measurements were repeated on each patient. Results: Both SBP and DBP after vitamin C supplementation reduced significantly by 9.53% from 105.0± 3.5mmHg to 95.0 ±3.5 mmHg (P < 0.05) and by 12.86% from 70.0 ± 1.6mmHg to 61.0 ± 1.0mmHg (P < 0.05) respectively. The MAP also fell significantly after vitamin C supplementation by 11.43% from 81.67 ± 1.7mmHg to 72.34 ± 1.7mmHg (P < 0.05). The pulse pressure however remained unchanged. The Plasma MDA concentration was reduced significantly by 18.23% from 74.6 ± 6.0 nmol/L to 61.0 ± 5.1 nmol/L ±(P < 0.05).The FEV1, FVC and PEFR increased slightly but changes were not significant. Conclusion: We conclude therefore that vitamin C supplementation may have little or no effect on lung function tests in the asthmatic subjects. However, it significantly reduces the blood pressure and suppresses lipid peroxidation in asthmatic children. Keywords: Lung Function Tests, Lipid Peroxidation, Vitamin C Blood PressureNigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 16-2