Vitamin C

Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid, or simply ascorbate (the anion of ascorbic acid), is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species.

Ascorbic acid performs numerous physiological functions in the human body. These

functions include the synthesis of collagen, carnitine, and neurotransmitters; the synthesis and catabolism of tyrosine; and the metabolism of microsome.

During biosynthesis ascorbate acts as a reducing agent, donating electrons and preventing oxidation to keep iron and copper atoms in their reduced states.

Physiological function in mammals

Collagen, carnitine, and tyrosine synthesis, and microsomal metabolism.
Vitamin C acts as an electron donor for eight different enzymes:

• Three enzymes participate in collagen hydroxylation. These reactions add hydroxyl group

to the amino acids proline or lysine in the collagen molecule via prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase, both requiring vitamin C as a cofactor. Hydroxylation allows the collagen molecule to assume its triple helix structure, and thus vitamin C is essential to the development and maintenance of scare tissue, blood vessels and cartilage.
• Two enzymes are necessary for synthesis of carnitine. Carnitine is essential for the transport of fatty acid into mitochondria for ATP generation.
• The remaining three enzymes have the following functions in common, but have other functions as well:
  1. Dopamine beta hydroxylase participates in the biosynthesis of norepinephrine from dopamine.
  2. Another enzyme adds amide groups to peptide hormone, greatly increasing their stability.
  3. One modulates tyrosine metabolism.

Antioxidant

Ascorbic acid is well known for its antioxidant activity, acting as a reducing agent to reverse oxidation in liquids.

Pro-oxidant

Ascorbic acid behaves not only as an antioxidant but also as a pro-oxidant. Ascorbic acid has been shown to reduce transition metals, such as cupric ions (Cu2+), to cuprous (Cu1+), and ferric ions (Fe3+) to ferrous (Fe2+) during conversion from ascorbate to dehydroascorbate in vitro.

Immune System

Vitamin C is found in high concentrations in immune cells, and is consumed quickly during infections. It is not certain how vitamin C interacts with the immune system; it has been hypothesized to modulate the activities of phagocytes, the production of cytokines and lymphocytes, and the number of cell adhesion molecules in monocytes.

Antihistamine

Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine. It both prevents histamine release and increases the detoxification of histamine. It has been noted that low concentrations of serum vitamin C has been correlated with increased serum histamine levels.

Deficiency

Scurvy

Vitamin C is required for the activity of prolyl hydroxylase, which is responsible for the

extensive hydroxylation of prolines in collagens. Deficiencies in proline hydroxylation interfere with the assembly of the procollagen triple-helix, resulting in degradation of the collagen.
An understanding of the cause and remedy for scurvy grew out of the experience of British sailors in the 18th century. Scurvy was a common problem for sailors on long voyages in which fresh fruits and vegetables were not available:

Sign and Symptom

Early symptoms are malaise and lethargy. After 1–3 months, patients develop shortness of breath and bone pain. Myalgias may occur because of reduced carnitine production. Other symptoms include skin changes with roughness, easy bruising and petechiae, gum disease, loosening of teeth, poor wound healing, and emotional changes. Dry mouth and dry eyes similar to Sjögren's syndrome may occur. In the late stages, jaundice, generalized edema, oliguria, neuropathy, fever, and convulsions, and eventual death are frequently seen.

Treatment

Restoration of body stores of vitamin C is essential to achieve complete resolution of symptoms. In most adult patients, provision of 250 mg of vitamin C 4 times a day for 1 week aids in achieving this goal.