Optimization of vitamin C concentration to boost PMN function in healthy individuals

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Laongthip Ruknarong
Rujira Nonsa-ard
Nisa Chuangchot
Amonrat Jumnainsong
Naruemon Leelayuwat
Apinya Jusakul
Silvana Gaudieri
Chanvit Leelayuwat

Abstract

Vitamin C is an antioxidant agent and a promoter of biological functions including immune cells, particularly of neutrophils or polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells, which play a vital role in bacterial infection. The data of vitamin C impacting on PMN function during bacterial phagocytosis in healthy individuals are limited. This study aimed to investigate the optimal concentration and conditions of vitamin C that could enhance PMN phagocytosis and oxidative burst in healthy adult ex vivo using whole blood assay. Whole blood samples from healthy individuals were pre-incubated without and with vitamin C in various concentrations before co-culture with Staphylococcus aureusand detection of the PMN function by fow cytometry. Vitamin C at 20 mM signifcantly increased phagocytosis (p-value = 0.03) and had a trend to signifcantly induce oxidative burst (p-value = 0.06, p-trend = 0.04) at 15 minutes after the bacteria exposure (n = 3), compared to untreated, while vitamin C concentration of 30 mM induced signifcant increase in both phagocytosis (p-value = 0.04) and oxidative burst (p-value = 0.02). We further investigated the boosting effect of vitamin C at 20 mM, as a minimal concentration that can boost phagocytosis, on PMN function in additional 17 healthy participants and found that both phagocytosis and oxidative burst of PMN were signifcantly increased (p-value < 0.0001). In conclusion, vitamin C at 20 mM can enhance PMN function in healthy adults within 15 minutes after exposure of the bacteria. This condition may be benefcial for PMN to eliminate bacterial infection rapidly. Nevertheless, further research in the clinical trial and underlying mechanisms await further studies.

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1.
Ruknarong L, Nonsa-ard R, Chuangchot N, Jumnainsong A, Leelayuwat N, Jusakul A, Gaudieri S, Leelayuwat C. Optimization of vitamin C concentration to boost PMN function in healthy individuals. Arch AHS [Internet]. 2021 Apr. 23 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];33(1):1-8. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ams/article/view/241433
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Original article

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