Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Critical Care 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Review

Measuring vitamin C in critically ill patients: clinical importance and practical difficulties—Is it time for a surrogate marker?

Authors: Sander Rozemeijer, Frans A. L. van der Horst, Angélique M. E. de Man

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 1/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2021. Other selected articles can be found online at https://​www.​biomedcentral.​com/​collections/​annualupdate2021​. Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from https://​link.​springer.​com/​bookseries/​8901.
Literature
1.
2.
go back to reference Zabet M, Mohammadi M, Ramezani M, Khalili H. Effect of high-dose Ascorbic acid on vasopressor′s requirement in septic shock. J Res Pharm Pract. 2016;5:94–100.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Zabet M, Mohammadi M, Ramezani M, Khalili H. Effect of high-dose Ascorbic acid on vasopressor′s requirement in septic shock. J Res Pharm Pract. 2016;5:94–100.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
3.
go back to reference Marik PE, Khangoora V, Rivera R, Hooper MH, Catravas J. Hydrocortisone, vitamin C, and thiamine for the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock: a retrospective before-after study. Chest. 2017;151:1229–38.CrossRefPubMed Marik PE, Khangoora V, Rivera R, Hooper MH, Catravas J. Hydrocortisone, vitamin C, and thiamine for the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock: a retrospective before-after study. Chest. 2017;151:1229–38.CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Moskowitz A, Huang DT, Hou PC, et al. Effect of ascorbic acid, corticosteroids, and thiamine on organ injury in septic shock: the ACTS randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2020;324:642–50.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Moskowitz A, Huang DT, Hou PC, et al. Effect of ascorbic acid, corticosteroids, and thiamine on organ injury in septic shock: the ACTS randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2020;324:642–50.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
5.
go back to reference Fowler AA 3rd, Truwit JD, Hite RD, et al. Effect of vitamin C infusion on organ failure and biomarkers of inflammation and vascular injury in patients with sepsis and severe acute respi-ratory failure: The CITRIS-ALI randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2019;322:1261–70.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Fowler AA 3rd, Truwit JD, Hite RD, et al. Effect of vitamin C infusion on organ failure and biomarkers of inflammation and vascular injury in patients with sepsis and severe acute respi-ratory failure: The CITRIS-ALI randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2019;322:1261–70.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
6.
go back to reference Iglesias J, Vassallo AV, Patel VV, Sullivan JB, Cavanaugh J, Elbaga Y. Outcomes of metabolic resuscitation using ascorbic acid, thiamine, and glucocorticoids in the early treatment of sepsis: the ORANGES trial. Chest. 2020;158:164–73.CrossRefPubMed Iglesias J, Vassallo AV, Patel VV, Sullivan JB, Cavanaugh J, Elbaga Y. Outcomes of metabolic resuscitation using ascorbic acid, thiamine, and glucocorticoids in the early treatment of sepsis: the ORANGES trial. Chest. 2020;158:164–73.CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Chang P, Liao Y, Guan J, et al. Combined treatment with hydrocortisone, vitamin C, and thiamine for sepsis and septic shock: a randomized controlled trial. Chest. 2020;158:174–82.CrossRefPubMed Chang P, Liao Y, Guan J, et al. Combined treatment with hydrocortisone, vitamin C, and thiamine for sepsis and septic shock: a randomized controlled trial. Chest. 2020;158:174–82.CrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference Fujii T, Udy AA. Additional trials of vitamin C in septic shock: a bag of mixed fruit. Chest. 2020;158:13–4.CrossRefPubMed Fujii T, Udy AA. Additional trials of vitamin C in septic shock: a bag of mixed fruit. Chest. 2020;158:13–4.CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Mohamed ZU, Prasannan P, Moni M, et al. Vitamin C therapy for routine care in septic shock (ViCTOR) trial: effect of intravenous vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone administration on inpatient mortality among patients with septic shock. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2020;24:653–61.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Mohamed ZU, Prasannan P, Moni M, et al. Vitamin C therapy for routine care in septic shock (ViCTOR) trial: effect of intravenous vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone administration on inpatient mortality among patients with septic shock. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2020;24:653–61.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
10.
go back to reference Wani SJ, Mufti SA, Jan RA, et al. Combination of vitamin C, thiamine and hydrocortisone added to standard treatment in the management of sepsis: results from an open label randomised controlled clinical trial and a review of the literature. Infect Dis. 2020;52:271–8.CrossRef Wani SJ, Mufti SA, Jan RA, et al. Combination of vitamin C, thiamine and hydrocortisone added to standard treatment in the management of sepsis: results from an open label randomised controlled clinical trial and a review of the literature. Infect Dis. 2020;52:271–8.CrossRef
11.
go back to reference Hwang SY, Ryoo SM, Park JE, et al. Combination therapy of vitamin C and thiamine for septic shock: a multi-centre, double-blinded randomized, controlled study. Intensive Care Med. 2020;46:2015–25.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Hwang SY, Ryoo SM, Park JE, et al. Combination therapy of vitamin C and thiamine for septic shock: a multi-centre, double-blinded randomized, controlled study. Intensive Care Med. 2020;46:2015–25.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
12.
go back to reference Fujii T, Luethi N, Young PJ, et al. Effect of vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamine vs hydro-cortisone alone on time alive and free of vasopressor support among patients with septic shock: the VITAMINS randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2020;323:423–31.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Fujii T, Luethi N, Young PJ, et al. Effect of vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamine vs hydro-cortisone alone on time alive and free of vasopressor support among patients with septic shock: the VITAMINS randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2020;323:423–31.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
13.
go back to reference Scholz SS, Borgstedt R, Ebeling N, Menzel LC, Jansen G, Rehberg S. Mortality in septic patients treated with vitamin C: a systematic meta-analysis. Crit Care. 2021;25:17.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Scholz SS, Borgstedt R, Ebeling N, Menzel LC, Jansen G, Rehberg S. Mortality in septic patients treated with vitamin C: a systematic meta-analysis. Crit Care. 2021;25:17.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
15.
go back to reference Carr AC, Rosengrave PC, Bayer S, Chambers S, Mehrtens J, Shaw GM. Hypovitaminosis C and vitamin C deficiency in critically ill patients despite recommended enteral and parenteral intakes. Crit Care. 2017;21:300.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Carr AC, Rosengrave PC, Bayer S, Chambers S, Mehrtens J, Shaw GM. Hypovitaminosis C and vitamin C deficiency in critically ill patients despite recommended enteral and parenteral intakes. Crit Care. 2017;21:300.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
16.
17.
go back to reference Rozemeijer S, Spoelstra-de Man AME, Coenen S, et al. Estimating vitamin C status in critically ill patients with a novel point-of-care oxidation-reduction potential measurement. Nutrients. 2019;11:1031.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Rozemeijer S, Spoelstra-de Man AME, Coenen S, et al. Estimating vitamin C status in critically ill patients with a novel point-of-care oxidation-reduction potential measurement. Nutrients. 2019;11:1031.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
19.
go back to reference Anand T, Skinner R. Vitamin C in burns, sepsis, and trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2018;85:782–7.CrossRefPubMed Anand T, Skinner R. Vitamin C in burns, sepsis, and trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2018;85:782–7.CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Horton JW. Free radicals and lipid peroxidation mediated injury in burn trauma: the role of antioxidant therapy. Toxicology. 2003;189:75–88.CrossRefPubMed Horton JW. Free radicals and lipid peroxidation mediated injury in burn trauma: the role of antioxidant therapy. Toxicology. 2003;189:75–88.CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Jackson TS, Xu A, Vita JA, Keaney JF Jr. Ascorbate prevents the interaction of superoxide and nitric oxide only at very high physiological concentrations. Circ Res. 1998;83:916–22.CrossRefPubMed Jackson TS, Xu A, Vita JA, Keaney JF Jr. Ascorbate prevents the interaction of superoxide and nitric oxide only at very high physiological concentrations. Circ Res. 1998;83:916–22.CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Karlsen A, Blomhoff R, Gundersen TE. Stability of whole blood and plasma ascorbic acid. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007;61:1233–6.CrossRefPubMed Karlsen A, Blomhoff R, Gundersen TE. Stability of whole blood and plasma ascorbic acid. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007;61:1233–6.CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Pullar JM, Bayer S, Carr AC. Appropriate handling, processing and analysis of blood samples is essential to avoid oxidation of vitamin C to dehydroascorbic acid. Antioxidants (Basel). 2018;7:29.CrossRefPubMed Pullar JM, Bayer S, Carr AC. Appropriate handling, processing and analysis of blood samples is essential to avoid oxidation of vitamin C to dehydroascorbic acid. Antioxidants (Basel). 2018;7:29.CrossRefPubMed
26.
go back to reference Washko PW, Welch RW, Dhariwal KR, Wang Y, Levine M. Ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid analyses in biological samples. Anal Biochem. 1992;204:1–14.CrossRefPubMed Washko PW, Welch RW, Dhariwal KR, Wang Y, Levine M. Ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid analyses in biological samples. Anal Biochem. 1992;204:1–14.CrossRefPubMed
27.
go back to reference Collie JTB, Greaves RF, Jones OAH, Eastwood G, Bellomo R. Vitamin C measurement in critical illness: challenges, methodologies and quality improvements. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2020;58:460–70.CrossRefPubMed Collie JTB, Greaves RF, Jones OAH, Eastwood G, Bellomo R. Vitamin C measurement in critical illness: challenges, methodologies and quality improvements. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2020;58:460–70.CrossRefPubMed
28.
go back to reference Lykkesfeldt J. Ascorbate and dehydroascorbic acid as reliable biomarkers of oxidative stress: analytical reproducibility and long-term stability of plasma samples subjected to acidic deproteinization. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev. 2007;16:2513–6.CrossRef Lykkesfeldt J. Ascorbate and dehydroascorbic acid as reliable biomarkers of oxidative stress: analytical reproducibility and long-term stability of plasma samples subjected to acidic deproteinization. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev. 2007;16:2513–6.CrossRef
29.
go back to reference Lykkesfeldt J, Tveden-Nyborg P. The pharmacokinetics of vitamin C. Nutrients. 2019;2412:11. Lykkesfeldt J, Tveden-Nyborg P. The pharmacokinetics of vitamin C. Nutrients. 2019;2412:11.
30.
go back to reference Koshiishi I, Mamura Y, Liu J, Imanari T. Evaluation of an acidic deproteinization for the measurement of ascorbate and dehydroascorbate in plasma samples. Clin Chem. 1998;44:863–8.CrossRefPubMed Koshiishi I, Mamura Y, Liu J, Imanari T. Evaluation of an acidic deproteinization for the measurement of ascorbate and dehydroascorbate in plasma samples. Clin Chem. 1998;44:863–8.CrossRefPubMed
31.
go back to reference Schorah CJ, Downing C, Piripitsi A, et al. Total vitamin C, ascorbic acid, and dehydroascorbic acid concentrations in plasma of critically ill patients. Am J Clin Nutr. 1996;63:760–5.CrossRefPubMed Schorah CJ, Downing C, Piripitsi A, et al. Total vitamin C, ascorbic acid, and dehydroascorbic acid concentrations in plasma of critically ill patients. Am J Clin Nutr. 1996;63:760–5.CrossRefPubMed
32.
go back to reference de Grooth HJ, Manubulu-Choo WP, Zandvliet AS, et al. Vitamin C pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients: a randomized trial of four IV regimens. Chest. 2018;153:1368–77.CrossRefPubMed de Grooth HJ, Manubulu-Choo WP, Zandvliet AS, et al. Vitamin C pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients: a randomized trial of four IV regimens. Chest. 2018;153:1368–77.CrossRefPubMed
33.
go back to reference Benzie IFF. An automated, specific, spectrophotometric method for measuring ascorbic acid in plasma (EFTSA). Clin Biochem. 1996;29:111–6.CrossRefPubMed Benzie IFF. An automated, specific, spectrophotometric method for measuring ascorbic acid in plasma (EFTSA). Clin Biochem. 1996;29:111–6.CrossRefPubMed
34.
35.
go back to reference Bernasconi L, Saxer C, Neyer P, Huber AR, Steuer C. Suitable preanalytical conditions for vitamin C measurement in clinical routine. SDRP J Food Sci Technol. 2018;3:1–8.CrossRef Bernasconi L, Saxer C, Neyer P, Huber AR, Steuer C. Suitable preanalytical conditions for vitamin C measurement in clinical routine. SDRP J Food Sci Technol. 2018;3:1–8.CrossRef
36.
go back to reference Rael LT. RedoxSYSTM ORP scientific data synopsis. Greenwood Village, CO: Luoxis Diagnostics, Inc; 2014. Rael LT. RedoxSYSTM ORP scientific data synopsis. Greenwood Village, CO: Luoxis Diagnostics, Inc; 2014.
37.
go back to reference Rael LT, Bar-Or R, Kelly MT, Carrick MM, Bar-Or D. Assessment of oxidative stress in patients with an isolated traumatic brain injury using disposable electrochemical test strips. Electroanalysis. 2015;27:2567–73.CrossRef Rael LT, Bar-Or R, Kelly MT, Carrick MM, Bar-Or D. Assessment of oxidative stress in patients with an isolated traumatic brain injury using disposable electrochemical test strips. Electroanalysis. 2015;27:2567–73.CrossRef
38.
go back to reference Polson D, Villalba N, Freeman K. Optimization of a diagnostic platform for oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) measurement in human plasma. Redox Rep. 2018;23:125–9.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Polson D, Villalba N, Freeman K. Optimization of a diagnostic platform for oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) measurement in human plasma. Redox Rep. 2018;23:125–9.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
39.
go back to reference Bobe G, Cobb TJ, Leonard SW, et al. Increased static and decreased capacity oxidation-reduction potentials in plasma are predictive of metabolic syndrome. Redox Biol. 2017;12:121–8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Bobe G, Cobb TJ, Leonard SW, et al. Increased static and decreased capacity oxidation-reduction potentials in plasma are predictive of metabolic syndrome. Redox Biol. 2017;12:121–8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
40.
go back to reference Buettner GR, Jurkiewicz BA. Catalytic metals, ascorbate and free radicals: combinations to avoid. Radiat Res. 1996;145:532–41.CrossRefPubMed Buettner GR, Jurkiewicz BA. Catalytic metals, ascorbate and free radicals: combinations to avoid. Radiat Res. 1996;145:532–41.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Measuring vitamin C in critically ill patients: clinical importance and practical difficulties—Is it time for a surrogate marker?
Authors
Sander Rozemeijer
Frans A. L. van der Horst
Angélique M. E. de Man
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Critical Care / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-021-03670-x

Other articles of this Issue 1/2021

Critical Care 1/2021 Go to the issue