Intravenous Vitamin C Administration Improved Blood Cell Counts and Health-Related Quality of Life of Patient with History of Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

The level of active DNA demethylation compounds in leukocytes and urine samples as potential epigenetic biomarkers in breast cancer patients

The active DNA demethylation process, which involves TET proteins, can affect DNA methylation pattern. TET dependent demethylation results in DNA hypomethylation by oxidation 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) and its derivatives. Moreover, TETs' activity may be upregulated by ascorbate. Given that aberrant DNA methylation of genes implicated in breast carcinogenesis may be involved in tumor progression, we wanted to determine whether breast cancer patients exert changes in the active DNA demethylation process. The study included blood samples from breast cancer patients (n = 74) and healthy subjects (n = 71). We analyzed the expression of genes involved in the active demethylation process (qRT-PCR), and 5-mC and its derivatives level (2D-UPLC MS/MS). The ascorbate level was determined using UPLC-MS. Breast cancer patients had significantly higher TET3 expression level, lower 5-mC and 5-hmC DNA levels. TET3 was significantly increased in luminal B breast cancer patients with expression of hormone receptors. Moreover, the ascorbate level in the plasma of breast cancer patients was decreased with the accompanying increase of sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters (SLC23A1 and SLC23A2). The presented study indicates the role of TET3 in DNA demethylation in breast carcinogenesis.

Vitamin C Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Hyperinflammatory State of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells through Purinergic Signaling and Autophagy

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the overproduction of white blood cells, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, infections, and other complications. CML patients must take measures to prevent infections to mitigate the exacerbation of cancer cell proliferation and comorbidities. Methods: This study investigated whether vitamin C can suppress the hyperinflammatory activation of K-562 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and whether purinergic signaling (ATP and P2X7 receptor) and autophagy play a role in it. Two different doses of vitamin C (5 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL) were employed, along with the lysosome inhibitor chloroquine (CQ; 100 µM), administered 2 h prior to LPS stimulation (10 ng/mL) for a duration of 22 h in K-562 cells (3 × 105 cells/mL/well). Results: Both doses of vitamin C reduced the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (5 µg/mL, p < 0.01 and 10 µg/mL, p < 0.01) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (5 µg/mL, p < 0.01 and 10 µg/mL, p < 0.01) induced by LPS. Furthermore, in LPS + CQ-stimulated cells, vitamin C at a concentration of 10 µg/mL inhibited the expression of LC3-II (p < 0.05). Conversely, both doses of vitamin C led to the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) (5 µg/mL, p < 0.01 and 10 µg/mL, p < 0.01), while only the 10 µg/mL dose of vitamin C induced the release of Klotho (10 µg/mL, p < 0.01). In addition, both doses of vitamin C reduced the accumulation of ATP (5 µg/mL, p < 0.01 and 10 µg/mL, p < 0.01) and decreased the expression of the P2X7 receptor at the mRNA level. Conclusions: Vitamin C inhibits the hyperinflammatory state induced by LPS in K-562 cells, primarily by inhibiting the ATP accumulation, P2X7 receptor expression, and autophagy signaling.

Metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia: mechanistic insights and therapeutic targets

Metabolic rewiring and cellular reprogramming are trademarks of neoplastic initiation and progression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Metabolic alteration in leukemic cells is often genotype specific, with associated changes in epigenetic and functional factors resulting in the downstream upregulation or facilitation of oncogenic pathways. Targeting abnormal or disease-sustaining metabolic activities in AML provides a wide range of therapeutic opportunities, ideally with enhanced therapeutic windows and robust clinical efficacy. This review highlights the dysregulation of amino acid, nucleotide, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism in AML; explores the role of key vitamins and enzymes that regulate these processes; and provides an overview of metabolism-directed therapies currently in use or development.

Vitamin C Plasma Levels Associated with Inflammatory Biomarkers, CRP and RDW: Results from the NHANES 2003–2006 Surveys

Although undisputed for its anti-inflammatory and immune system boosting properties, vitamin C remains an inconsistently investigated nutrient in the United States. However, subclinical inadequacies may partly explain increased inflammation and decreased immune function within the population. This secondary analysis cross-sectional study used the 2003–2006 NHANES surveys to identify more clearly the association between plasma vitamin C and clinical biomarkers of acute and chronic inflammation C-reactive protein (CRP) and red cell distribution width (RDW). From plasma vitamin C levels separated into five defined categories (deficiency, hypovitaminosis, inadequate, adequate, and saturating), ANOVA tests identified significant differences in means in all insufficient vitamin C categories (deficiency, hypovitaminosis, and inadequate) and both CRP and RDW in 7607 study participants. There were also statistically significant differences in means between sufficient plasma vitamin C levels (adequate and saturating categories) and CRP. Significant differences were not identified between adequate and saturating plasma vitamin C levels and RDW. Although inadequate levels of vitamin C may not exhibit overt signs or symptoms of deficiency, differences in mean levels identified between inflammatory biomarkers suggest a closer examination of those considered at risk for inflammatory-driven diseases. Likewise, the subclinical levels of inflammation presented in this study provide evidence to support ranges for further clinical inflammation surveillance.

Catha edulis Forsk and Ascorbic Acid Effects on Hematological Indices in Rat

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of chewing Catha edulis Forsk and the use of ascorbic acid is increasing from time to time. Their subchronic effects on hematological indices are not well examined. The present study was aimed to investigate their subchronic effects on hematological indices in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 36 adult (7-8 weeks) wild-type rats weighing between 213 and 229g were used in this study. They received Catha edulis Forsk extract (Ce) (100 milligrams/kilogram, 200 milligram/kilogram and 300 milligram/kilogram b.w), Catha edulis Forsk juice (2.5 mL/kg), ascorbic acid (AA 200 milligram/kilogram), and 2% tween 80 in distilled water (T80W- v/v) for twelve weeks. Hematological indices were measured with Sysmex KX-21. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21.0 and Microsoft Excel.

RESULTS

Neutrocytes (p < 0.01), lymphocytes (p < 0.05), plateletcrit (p < 0.05), average size of platelets (p < 0.05), platelet size variability (p < 0.01), platelet-large cell ratio (p < 0.05) and neutrocytes/lymphocytes ratio (p < 0.001) were significantly greater, while hemoglobin concentration per red blood cell (p < 0.05) and hemoglobin concentration per volume of red blood cells were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in rats received khat. The red cell distribution width (p < 0.05), platelet size variability (p < 0.05) and platelet-large cell ratio (p < 0.01) were significantly greater in rats received ascorbic acid.

CONCLUSION

Crude Catha edulis Forsk extract and juice changed some hematological indices and increased platelet activities. The platelet activity was also increased by ascorbic acid. The mechanisms for these changes need to be investigated.

Vitamin C Transporters and Their Implications in Carcinogenesis

Vitamin C is implicated in various bodily functions due to its unique properties in redox homeostasis. Moreover, vitamin C also plays a great role in restoring the activity of 2-oxoglutarate and Fe²⁺ dependent dioxygenases (2-OGDD), which are involved in active DNA demethylation (TET proteins), the demethylation of histones, and hypoxia processes. Therefore, vitamin C may be engaged in the regulation of gene expression or in a hypoxic state. Hence, vitamin C has acquired great interest for its plausible effects on cancer treatment. Since its conceptualization, the role of vitamin C in cancer therapy has been a controversial and disputed issue. Vitamin C is transferred to the cells with sodium dependent transporters (SVCTs) and glucose transporters (GLUT). However, it is unknown whether the impaired function of these transporters may lead to carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Notably, previous studies have identified SVCTs’ polymorphisms or their altered expression in some types of cancer. This review discusses the potential effects of vitamin C and the impaired SVCT function in cancers. The variations in vitamin C transporter genes may regulate the active transport of vitamin C, and therefore have an impact on cancer risk, but further studies are needed to thoroughly elucidate their involvement in cancer biology.

Vitamin C and immune cell function in inflammation and cancer

Vitamin C (ascorbate) is maintained at high levels in most immune cells and can affect many aspects of the immune response. Intracellular levels generally respond to variations in plasma ascorbate availability, and a combination of inadequate intake and increased turnover during severe stress can result in low plasma ascorbate status. Intracellular ascorbate supports essential functions and, in particular, acts as an enzyme cofactor for Fe- or Cu-containing oxygenases. Newly discovered enzymes in this family regulate cell metabolism and epigenetics, and dysregulation of their activity can affect cell phenotype, growth and survival pathways, and stem cell phenotype. This brief overview details some of the recent advances in our understanding of how ascorbate availability can affect the hydroxylases controlling the hypoxic response and the DNA and histone demethylases. These processes play important roles in the regulation of the immune system, altering cell survival pathways, metabolism and functions.