Written by Chrystal Moulton, Staff Writer. Vitamin C given intravenously achieves 66 times higher blood levels than vitamin C given orally and inhibits mesothelioma growth in a cell study.
As malignant mesothelioma remains a very difficult cancer to treat, researchers are looking for more effective ways to combat the illness. Studies on the use of vitamin C both orally and intravenously for cancer date back to about 50 years ago. Since then, scientists have found vitamin C to be effective in killing cancer cells and reducing tumor size in vitro and in vivo. (1-4) In regards to mesothelioma, researchers have already begun testing whether vitamin C can kill this very resistant cancer with positive results. (5-7) In the current research as well, scientists tested the effect of vitamin C against four different cell lines of malignant mesothelioma cells in vitro. (8)
Four different human mesothelioma cells were raised in a growth medium. Scientists observed the effects of various doses of vitamin C and recorded the amount of apoptosis and necrosis as well as the presence of various proteins and molecular species that may be involved in promoting cell death.
In their results, researchers found that vitamin C induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. As the data shows, vitamin C was capable of reducing survival of the various cells lines by 50% at the doses listed (in Table 1). As an important note, pharmacokinetic studies done in humans were able to achieve significantly higher plasma levels than that listed in the table from 1.25g of ascorbic acid given intravenously (approximately 885 micromoles/L). (2) Oral doses of the same amount (1.25g) only achieved 134 micromoles of ascorbate in serum. (2) Researchers also noted that vitamin C increased the production of peroxide outside the cell and decreased the functionality of the mitochondria in a dose-dependent manner.
Further tests examined the effect of intravenous vitamin C on tumor growth in mice. Researchers implanted mice with the EHMES-10 cell line which led to tumor growth. Results showed that tumor growth was significantly decreased 20 days following a one-time i.v. injection of 0.9 mg (p<0.05) and 9 mg (p<0.01) of vitamin C compared to placebo. However, after day 34 tumor increased with no significant difference between groups. This result indicates the need to undergo several intravenous treatments over time to inhibit growth of tumors.
In all, vitamin C promotes cell death and inhibits tumor growth of the mesothelioma cell lines tested in the study. According to the authors, this information warrants further investigation into the use of vitamin C specifically for mesothelioma.
Cell culture studies are done on cells maintained artificially in a laboratory environment outside the body. These studies can be completed relatively quickly and are generally used to evaluate the mechanism of action, dose response, or the potential toxicity levels of a substance. Cell studies can identify the feasibility of additional clinical research in animal and human studies to confirm the results predicted by cell culture studies.
Source: Takemura, Yukitoshi, et al. “High dose of ascorbic acid induces cell death in mesothelioma cells.” Biochemical and biophysical research communications 394.2 (2010): 249-253.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Posted July 17, 2015.
Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.
References:
- Duconge J, et al. Pharmacokinetics of vitamin C: insights into the oral and intravenous administration of ascorbate. P R Health Sci J. 2008 Mar;27(1):7-19.
- Padayatty SJ et al. Vitamin C pharmacokinetics: implications for oral and intravenous use. Ann Intern Med. 2004 Apr 6;140(7):533-7.
- Casciari JJ, Riordan HD, Mirranda-Massara JR, Gonzalez MJ. Effects of high dose ascorbate administration on L-10 tumor growth in guinea pigs. PR Health Sci J. 2005;24:145–150.
