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Is Vitamin C Beneficial to Patients with CAP?

  • Respiratory Infections (F Arnold, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in elderly and children. Vitamin C is known as a physiological antioxidant, regulating innate immune system in the lung. Vitamin C has been used to prevent and treat CAP. However, the use of vitamin C for preventing and treating CAP has been a subject of controversy. We aim to review the most significant findings about vitamin C supplementation in patients with pneumonia based on literature from the PubMed. First, we reviewed recent advances about the role of oxidative stress in CAP. Oxidative stress is a crucial component of the host defense system and inflammatory response. However, excessive oxidative stress can cause a systemic inflammatory response leading to tissue damage. The degree of oxidative stress has been associated with the severity of CAP. Vitamin C is beneficial to the host defense system by regulating the innate immunity in the lungs. We also discuss the prophylactic use of vitamin C for pneumonia. Vitamin C supplementation decreased the pneumonia risk in patients with vitamin C deficiency. However, it is not beneficial for prophylactic use of vitamin C to prevent pneumonia in the well-nourished population. Finally, we summarize the effect of vitamin C on mechanical ventilation used during respiratory failure. Administration of vitamin C decreases the duration of mechanical ventilation by decreasing oxidative stress.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Chinese National Science Foundation (81170032).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The First Clinic College, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401331, China

    Yin Li

  2. Inflammations and Allergic Diseases Research Unit in Respiratory Department, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China

    Guoping Li

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Correspondence to Guoping Li.

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Yin Li & Guoping Li declare no conflicts of interests.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the author.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Respiratory Infections

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Li, Y., Li, G. Is Vitamin C Beneficial to Patients with CAP?. Curr Infect Dis Rep 18, 24 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-016-0530-0

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