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Cited by 155Vitamin C and Antioxidants ResearchCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesVitamin D Research Studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 47 of the 47 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The Emerging Role of Vitamin C in the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19

Open access
Carr, Anitra C., Rowe, Sam·2020·Nutrients
DOI 10.3390/nu12113286PMC PMC7693980
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Abstract

Investigation into the role of vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of pneumonia and sepsis has been underway for many decades. This research has laid a strong foundation for translation of these findings into patients with severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Research has indicated that patients with pneumonia and sepsis have low vitamin C status and elevated oxidative stress. Administration of vitamin C to patients with pneumonia can decrease the severity and duration of the disease. Critically ill patients with sepsis require intravenous administration of gram amounts of the vitamin to normalize plasma levels, an intervention that some studies suggest reduces mortality. The vitamin has pleiotropic physiological functions, many of which are relevant to COVID-19. These include its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic and immuno-modulatory functions. Preliminary observational studies indicate low vitamin C status in critically ill patients with COVID-19. There are currently a number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) registered globally that are assessing intravenous vitamin C monotherapy in patients with COVID-19. Since hypovitaminosis C and deficiency are common in low–middle-income settings, and many of the risk factors for vitamin C deficiency overlap with COVID-19 risk factors, it is possible that trials carried out in populations with chronic hypovitaminosis C may show greater efficacy. This is particularly relevant for the global research effort since COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting low–middle-income countries and low-income groups globally. One small trial from China has finished early and the findings are currently under peer review. There was significantly decreased mortality in the more severely ill patients who received vitamin C intervention. The upcoming findings from the larger RCTs currently underway will provide more definitive evidence. Optimization of the intervention protocols in future trials, e.g., earlier and sustained administration, is warranted to potentially improve its efficacy. Due to the excellent safety profile, low cost, and potential for rapid upscaling of production, administration of vitamin C to patients with hypovitaminosis C and severe respiratory infections, e.g., COVID-19, appears warranted.

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Chen, Q., and Vissers, M. (2020). Vitamin C in pneumonia and sepsis. Vitamin C: New Biochemical and Functional Insights. Oxidative Stress and Disease, CRC Press/Taylor & Francis.
  2. Sawyer, 1989, Antioxidant therapy and survival in ARDS, Crit. Care Med., 17, S153

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Metadata

Authors
Carr, A. C., & Rowe, S.
Affiliations
  • University of Otago (NZ)
  • Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (GB)
Corresponding author
Carr, Anitra C.
ORCID
Venue
Nutrients
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2020-10-27
Volume
12
Issue
11
Pages
3286
ISSN
2072-6643 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/nu12113286
PMC
PMC7693980
OpenAlex
W3095007644
Cited by
155
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 56 · 2020: 3
FWCI
20.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nutrients (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • LSTM Online Archive (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine) (acceptedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Medical Research Council (MR/T004045/1)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Vitamin C and Antioxidants Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Vitamin D Research Studies
Keywords
vitamin C, COVID-19 pandemic, hypovitaminosis C, scurvy, oxidative stress, intravenous vitamin C, pneumonia, sepsis, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, antithrombotic activity, immunomodulation, critically ill patients, mortality, low-middle income countries
MeSH terms
Betacoronavirus, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 Drug Treatment, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Antioxidants, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid Deficiency, Humans, Nutritional Status, Pneumonia, Viral, Vitamins, Critical Illness, Coronavirus Infections, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Pandemics

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