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Ascorbic acid in bronchial asthma
Abstract
Sixteen White children with bronchial asthma were divided into two groups; one received standard antiasthma chemoprophylaxis (SAC) and the other SAC supplemented with 1 g ascorbic acid (Redoxon) given as a single daily dose for a 6-month period. In 10 patients the effects of ascorbic acid on exerciseinduced bronchoconstriction (EIS) were assessed by comparing the pre-ascorbic acid results with those obtained 21/ 2 hours after the intravenous injection of 1 g ascorbic acid. Immunological investigations performed on the two groups were assessment of polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMNL) motility, phagocytosis and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and measurement of secretory IgA, serum immunoglobulin and-total haemolytic complement levels and levels of the components C3 and C4, lr,-antitrypsin, antistreptolysin 0 (ASO), C-reactive protein and antibodies to certain respiratory viruses. These investigations were performed before and 1, 3 and 6 months after the commencement of therapy. Radio-allergosorbent testing for sensitivity to four common allergens was carried out at the outset and after 6 months of therapy. Injection of ascorbic acid had no detectable effects on the degree of EIS. Slight but not significant immunological changes were observed in the SAC group over the 6-month study period. However, in the SAC plus ascorbic acid group significantly improved PMNL motility and decreased ASO levels and reduced (although not to a significant extent) IgE levels and titres of antibodies to the respiratory viruses were observed.
