Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Vitamin C is a major antioxidant in lung airways and also functions against external insulting oxidant sources such as smoke and environmental contaminants. The aim of study was to assess the vitamin C in asthmatic patients, by it’s measurement in plasma and white blood cells (WBC).

Materials and Methods: In a case–control study 50 asthmatic patients and 50 healthy person were randomly selected. The data were obtained by utilizing socioeconomic questionnaire and 24 hour dietary recall. l0 c.c blood samples were drawn. Plasma and WBC vitamin C concentration were measured colorimetrically. The data were analyzed by FPI and SPSS software.

Results: The results indicate that 38 percent and 92 percent of patients had deficient plasma and WBC vitamin C concentrations respectively. There was a significant difference in plasma and WBC vitamin C concentrations among patients and control group (P<0.0001) Analysis of regression showed that a significant dependence was observed between the duration of asthma and plasma vitamin C status (P=0.03), though a positive significant correlation was obtained between plasma vitamin C status and dietary vitamin C intake (P=0.0001, r =0.56), The interaction of socioeconomic parameters and vitamin C concentration in asthmatic patients in this study was not significant .

Conclusion: Present study indicates that while there is an association between vitamin C status and asthma but WBC vitamin C status is more sensitive in this regard and deserves further study and consideration.