Intravenous vitamin C in the treatment of allergies: an interim subgroup analysis of a long-term observational study

Vollbracht C, Raithel M, Krick B, Kraft K, Hagel A (2018)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2018

Journal

Journal of International Medical Research SAGE Publications (UK and US)

Book Volume: 46

Pages Range: 3640-3655

Journal Issue: 9

DOI: 10.1177/0300060518777044

Abstract

Objective Oxidative stress appears to be a key factor in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and a potential therapeutic target in allergy treatment. Allergic diseases are reportedly associated with reduced plasma levels of ascorbate, which is a key physiological antioxidant. Ascorbate prevents excessive inflammation without reducing the defensive capacity of the immune system. Methods An interim analysis of a multicenter, prospective, observational study was conducted to investigate the change in disease-specific and nonspecific symptoms (fatigue, sleep disorders, depression, and lack of mental concentration) during adjuvant treatment with intravenous vitamin C (Pascorbin®; Pascoe, Giessen, Germany) in 71 patients with allergy-related respiratory or cutaneous indications. Results Between the start and end of treatment, the mean sum score of three disease-specific symptoms decreased significantly by 4.71 points and that of four nonspecific symptoms decreased significantly by 4.84 points. More than 50% of patients took no other allergy-related medication besides vitamin C. Conclusions Our observations suggest that treatment with intravenous high-dose vitamin C reduces allergy-related symptoms. Our observations form a basis for planning a randomized controlled clinical trial to obtain more definitive evidence of the clinical relevance of our findings. We also obtained evidence of ascorbate deficiency in allergy-related diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT02422901.

Authors with CRIS profile

Alexander Hagel Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology

Involved external institutions

Pascoe pharmazeutische Präparate GmbH DE Germany (DE) Waldkrankenhaus St Marien DE Germany (DE) Universitätsmedizin Rostock DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Vollbracht, C., Raithel, M., Krick, B., Kraft, K., & Hagel, A. (2018). Intravenous vitamin C in the treatment of allergies: an interim subgroup analysis of a long-term observational study. Journal of International Medical Research, 46(9), 3640-3655. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300060518777044

MLA:

Vollbracht, Claudia, et al. "Intravenous vitamin C in the treatment of allergies: an interim subgroup analysis of a long-term observational study." Journal of International Medical Research 46.9 (2018): 3640-3655.

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