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Background: Exposure to heavy metals has been suggested to increase the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) through the oxidative stress pathway. The study is aimed at examining whether vitamin C could modify the association between exposure to heavy metals and risk of GDM. Methods: We conducted a case-control study in Taiyuan, China, with 776 GDM cases and 776 controls. Data on vitamin C intake from diet and supplements were collected through questionnaires. Concentrations of metals in participants' blood were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Unconditional logistic regression models were applied to estimate effect modification of vitamin C on the association between heavy metals and GDM. Results: Women with higher blood levels of mercury (Hg) (odds ratio (OR) = 2.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.43, 3.92 and 2.04, 95% CI: 1.20, 3.46 for the second and third vs. the first tertile) and arsenic (As) (OR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.37, 4.43 and 2.16, 95% CI: 1.12, 4.17 for the second and third vs. the first tertile) exposure were associated with increased risk of GDM among women without vitamin C supplement use and having dietary vitamin C intake < 85 mg/day. We found no significant association with metals among women who took vitamin C supplements and/or dietary vitamin C ≥ 85 mg/day. Significant interactions were observed between vitamin C and exposures to metals (i.e., Hg and As) on the risk of GDM ( P interaction Our study, for the first time, suggests that vitamin C supplement use or higher dietary vitamin C intake during preconception and early pregnancy could alleviate the risk of GDM associated with exposure to As and Hg. The results warrant further investigation.Conclusions: Our study, for the first time, suggests that vitamin C supplement use or higher dietary vitamin C intake during preconception and early pregnancy could alleviate the risk of GDM associated with exposure to As and Hg. The results warrant further investigation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Ying Wang et al.)

Tendinopathy is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal disorders characterized by sustained tissue inflammation and oxidative stress, accompanied by extracellular matrix remodeling. Patients suffering from this pathology frequently experience pain, swelling, stiffness, and muscle weakness. Current pharmacological interventions are based on nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs; however, the effectiveness of these strategies remains ambiguous. Accumulating evidence supports that oral supplementation of natural compounds can provide preventive, and possibly curative, effects. Vitamin C (Vit C), collagen peptides (Coll), resveratrol (Res), and astaxanthin (Asx) were reported to be endowed with potential beneficial effects based on their anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Here, we analyzed the efficacy of a novel combination of these compounds (Mix) in counteracting proinflammatory (IL‐1β) and prooxidant (H2O2) stimuli in human tenocytes. We demonstrated that Mix significantly impairs IL‐6‐induced IL‐1β secretion, NF‐κB nuclear translocation, and MMP‐2 production; notably, a synergistic effect of Mix over the single compounds could be observed. Moreover, Mix was able to significantly counteract H2O2‐triggered ROS production. Together, these results point out that Mix, a novel combination of Vit C, Coll, Resv, and Asx, significantly impairs proinflammatory and prooxidant stimuli in tenocytes, mechanisms that contribute to the onset of tendinopathies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Hydrolysed collagen supplements are reported to fight the signs of aging and improve skin appearance, but more authoritative clinical evidence is needed to support efficacy. Aim. This randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study evaluated the efficacy of a supplement containing hydrolysed collagen and vitamin C (Absolute Collagen, AC) on biophysical parameters and visible signs of aging for skin, scalp, and hair, when taken daily or every 48 hours. Methods. We measured dermal collagen using confocal microscopy and high‐resolution ultrasound. Hydration, elasticity, wrinkles, and clinical trichoscopy were measured in parallel to expert visual grading. Efficacy measures were recorded at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Results. Following 12 weeks daily use of the AC supplement, using confocal microscopy, we observed a significant 44.6% decrease in fragmentation vs. placebo (p < 0.01). We also measured a change in the ultrasound LEP (low echogenic pixel) ratio comparing upper and lower dermis (−9.24 vs. −7.83, respectively, p = 0.05), suggesting collagen improvements occurred more in the upper dermal compartment. After 12 weeks vs. placebo, skin hydration was increased by 13.8% (p < 0.01), R2 elasticity index was increased by 22.7% (p<0.01), and Rz profilometry index was decreased by 19.6% (p < 0.01). Trichoscopy showed an average 11.0% improvement in scalp scaling and a 27.6% increase in the total number of hairs counted vs. placebo (p = n.s.). This was associated with a 31.9% increase in clinical grading score for hair healthy appearance (p < 0.01). Conclusion. The AC supplement has shown clinical benefits for skin, scalp, and hair, when used either daily or every 48 hours, over a 12‐week period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a micronutrient, vitamin C plays an important role in growth and immunity of fish, but the effects of vitamin C on Pampus argenteus were still unclear. Here, we added vitamin C with different concentrations (0, 350, 1050, 2100 and 4200 mg/kg) to the basic diet, and the optimal concentration of vitamin C was screened out as 1050 mg/kg through the growth indicators, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GSH‐PX and MDA) and the expression of four immune‐related genes (IL‐2, IL‐3, IL‐17 and IL‐18). After feeding dietary vitamin C supplementation with optimal concentration for 4 weeks, 80 ml/t formaldehyde was used to damage the immune system of fish. Then, the activities of the antioxidant enzymes and immune‐related genes were tested to find out the protective effects of vitamin C on the immune system. The results showed that the activity of CAT, SOD and GSH‐PX increased, while the MDA content decreased. At the molecular level, the expression of IL‐2 and IL‐3 genes increased, but the expression of IL‐17 and IL‐18 genes was inhibited. These findings suggested that the dietary vitamin C supplementation improved fish growth, alleviated the stress reaction caused by formaldehyde treatment and improved the immunity of P. argenteus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are one of the most important sources of natural bioactive compounds, especially those revealing antioxidant activity such as β‐carotene. Thus, this study was to compare the effects of dietary Vitamin C (L‐ascorbic acid) or Vitamin E (α‐tocopherol) with β‐carotene extracted from Arthrospira platensis on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on growth, feed utilization, blood indices, antioxidant activity, non‐specific immunological indices and related gene expression. Three hundred and sixty apparent healthy Nile tilapia (5.80 ± 0.286 g) were randomly distributed into four groups. Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were performed. A control diet was compared against three experimental diets supplemented with Vitamin C (0.5 mg kg−1 diet), Vitamin E (1 g kg−1 diet) or β‐carotene (0.5 g kg−1 diet) for 10 weeks. According to the results, there was no significant difference in feed intake (p > 0.05) between experimental diets. Dietary Vitamins C and E and β‐carotene significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the weight gain, final body weight, protein efficiency ratio, specific growth rate and apparent protein utilization in all groups, whereas the best FCR (p = 0.017) and the highest weight gain (p = 0.007) were detected in the β‐carotene diet. Fish survival rates differed significantly (p < 0.05) amongst treatments, whilst fish fed a diet supplemented with β‐carotene recorded the highest survival rate. The supplemental diet with β‐carotene boosted the values of the biochemical and haematological parameters (p < 0.05) compared with the control diet. The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) in the liver (p = 0.0560; p = 0.0032; p = 0.0353 respectively) and tilapia muscles were higher in fish fed either β‐carotene or Vitamin E (p = 0.0579; p = 0.1494; p = 0.2145 respectively) than other groups. The highest values of SOD, CAT and immune globulin M‐2 gene expression (p < 0.05) were found in fish fed a diet enriched with β‐carotene. These results suggested that the dietary incorporation of β‐carotene had a superior impact on growth performance, haemato‐biochemical and immune‐oxidative stress biomarkers in addition to the associated gene expression of Oreochromis niloticus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the ameliorative dietary effect of vitamin‐C against sodium fluoride (NaF)‐induced toxicity on growth and haemato‐biochemical parameters in Amur carp. A total of 150 fish (average body weight 169 ± 0.69 g) were randomly distributed into five groups (with three triplicates) including G1 (control); G2 (NaF exposure @100 ppm); G3 (vitamin‐C supplemented diet @100 ppm); G4 (both NaF exposure @100 ppm and vitamin‐C supplemented diet @100 ppm) and G5 (NaF exposure @100 ppm for 60 days and then vitamin‐C supplemented diet @200 ppm for last 30 days). Results revealed that growth and hemato‐biochemical profile was best in G3 in comparison with G1, whereas groups G2, G4 and G5 have shown retarded growth, a decrease in Hb, TEC, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC. Serum‐biochemical parameters were found optimum in G3 as compared with G1 and in groups of G2, G4 and G5, total serum protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, and triglyceride levels decreased significantly, whereas creatinine, AST and ALT levels increased significantly. In G4, toxicity was less severe in comparison with G2, whereas in G5, after the dietary supplementary of vitamin‐C, parameters have shown a bend towards the normal values. Thus, it can be concluded that vitamin‐C has ameliorative action against fluoride toxicity in fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioactive compounds are secondary metabolites synthesized by plants for maintaining homeostasis; however, they also modulate metabolic processes and demonstrate valuable effects in the human body. The fig was cherished as food and for its pharmaceutical properties. The presence of a wide range of biologically active compounds such as carotenoids, flavonoids, phenols, and vitamin C is obligated for their functional properties as well as their technological capability as a dietary supplement is responsible for most health impacts. Owing to the rich and diversified composition of biologically active compounds these compounds possess different biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective activity that implies those bioactive substances might be used in the creation of novel culinary and medicinal products. Fig fruit should be widely recognized as a natural functional product. This systematic and comprehensive review gives the notion of developing figs species as a viable and innovative component for its varied food and nonfood applications as a remarkable and primitive source of medication and nourishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the infection and treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, age and comorbidities play a major role in the successful management of COVID-19. The nutritional status changes which occur in the body vary with the age and underlying conditions and has a vital role in the functioning of the immune system and cellular membrane integrity, thus minimizing the vulnerability to the infection. Considering the data already published by eminent researchers, a few micronutrients have shown outstanding results as supportive therapies in the treatment of viral infections. Micronutrient like zinc improves the membrane barrier integrity, has anti-inflammatory activity, and is involved in antibody production. Vitamin A supports the phagocytic activity of macrophages, while vitamin C reduces the worsening of respiratory tract infections by restoring the dysfunctional epithelial barrier of the lungs. Vitamin D, vitamin E, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acid metabolites play a major role in immunomodulation and in the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production. Magnesium is involved in the synthesis of antibodies, while copper, vitamin B12, and folate have significant effects on immune cells. A few researchers suggest that iron supplementation has reduced the risk of acquiring respiratory tract infections in children. As the age of the patient increases, the need for micronutrients increases, thus leading to an imbalanced nutritional status which in turn increases the risk and fatality of the infections. The use of micronutrients in modulating the inflammatory, immune responses, and the epithelial barrier integrity is explored during the treatment of viral infections for faster recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hippophae tibetana is valuable wild edible berry, which is utilized as a supplement of food, traditional‐folk medicine system by rural populace of the Johar valley, Pithoragarh district India. The study focused on quantitating the nutrient composition, polyphenols, and free radical scavenging activities of the specie (in different solvent extracts). Results represented a various concentration range of polyphenolics and antioxidants among studied solvents, and fresh berries exhibited good sources of polyphenols (phenolics 1.64; tannins 5.87; proanthcyanidins 1.47; flavonoids 5.74; flavonols 0.62 mg/g), antioxidants, and free radical scavenging activities (FRAP 9.55; DPPH 1.35; NO·1.14; ABTS 4.10; OH· 0.69 mM AAE/100 g), nutrients (carbohydrates 2.05; proteins 0.67; methionine 0.73; proline 1.03; sodium 0.37; potassium 3.0.25 mg/g) and vitamins (vitamin C 1.03; vitamin E 0.87; Vitamin A 0.59 mg/g), respectively, followed by dry berries and pomace. Outcomes of the study revealed that acetone and methanol are good for extraction for harnessing maximum potential from the species. Practical applications: H. tibetana has emerged as a potential source of nutritional and bioactive constituents, and moderate polarity solvents (acetone and methanol) are best for extraction and acetone should be prioritized for commercial utilization.In the present scenario, several communities worldwide are focused to consume natural antioxidant compounds for improving their health, immunity, and reducing the deficiency of malnutrition. The fresh berries of H. tibetana and their processed foodstuffs can be considered an option for fulfilling the basic requirements of nutrients in the future and will be helpful for reducing deficiency of malnutrition in the Himalayan populace.Present study highlighted that berries of H. tibetana are rich sources of various nutrients, polyphenols, and antioxidant contents and for harnessing maximum potential from the species their mass scale cultivation is required. Therefore, sensitization workshops and capacity‐building programs (for skill development) should be organized in the higher Himalayas for the promotion of cultivation practices/large‐scale plantation of H. tibetana in their suitable habitat (cold desert) through participatory approaches, also required to strengthen the sub help groups (SHG). This approach will fulfill the major issues of biodiversity conservation, wasteland reclamation, and generate employment opportunities for the local communities of Himalayas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the growth performance and fin regeneration rates of zebrafish fed with diets containing levels of vitamin C (Vit C). A basal practical diet was formulated to test six levels of Vit C supplementation (0, 75, 150, 300, 600 and 1,200 mg kg−1). A total of 504 juvenile zebrafish were distributed into thirty‐six 8‐L aquaria, constituting an experimental design with six treatments and six replicates. After 60 days of feeding, growth performance was evaluated. To analyse the regeneration rates of the caudal fin, 18 fish of each treatment were anesthetized and had part of their fins amputated. To determine the regenerated portion on Days 5, 10 and 15 postamputation, six fish of each treatment were subjected to image analysis. The average weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and final length were positively affected (p <.05) by Vit C supplementation. The diets with higher dietary concentrations of Vit C presented the best results regarding tissue regeneration. Based on the broken‐line regression analysis, it is concluded that the Vit C nutritional requirement for the maximum growth and tissue regeneration of zebrafish juveniles fed with practical diets for 60 days were 188.7 and 897.4 mg kg−1 diet, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 60-day feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the dietary effect of vitamin C on non-specific immunity and stress responses in striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus juveniles with the average body weight of 3.23 ± 0.01 g to 3.38 ± 0.01 g. Seven graded levels of diets supplemented with 0, 17.5, 35, 70, 175, 350 and 700 mg vitamin C/kg diet as L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate were fed to fish in triplicates group. At the end of the experiment, fish fed vitamin C diet had significantly higher responses for nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), serum lysozyme, phagocytic activities and lowest activities for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (p<0.05) under both pre- and post-challenge conditions with Aeromonas hydrophila. After a challenge, the percentage survival of fish fed vitamin C diet was improved than those of fish fed vitamin C-deficient diet. The overall results of the present study indicated that dietary vitamin C had a significant influence on immunity and stress mitigation in P. hypophthalmus juveniles. However, the highest positive response values obtained for immune and stress parameters in fish lies within the range of 350 to 700 mg ascorbic acid (AA) kg-1 of the diet. From the present experiment, it may be concluded that the dietary vitamin C supplementation at the level of 350 to 700 mg AA kg-1 of the diet would be optimal for influencing the immunity and stress responses in P. hypophthalmus juveniles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid (ASA) is an essential micronutrient for normal growth, antioxidant capacity and immunity of fish. However, appropriate requirements of ASA for Ctenopharyngodon idella, grass carp juveniles (8.46 ± 0.19), remain unknown. For this purpose, a feeding trial of 60 days was conducted in triplicates. Six isolipidic and isoproteic diets containing 0, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of ASA were prepared. Results showed a linear increase in growth as ASA supplementation was increased from 0 to 100 mg/kg. However, a further increase in dietary ASA supplementation from 200 to 400 mg/kg resulted in a slight decrease in growth parameters. A similar trend was also recorded for the whole body, proximate composition, antioxidant enzymes and organ indices against ASA supplementation. On the contrary, fish fed with basal diet had higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content in the liver and muscles than those fed with ASA supplemented diets. ASA concentration in muscles increased in a dose‐dependent manner, while ASA value was the highest in the fish fed with 100 mg/kg ASA concentration. The weight gain (WG%) data were subjected to broken‐line regression analysis, and the optimal ASA requirement of grass carp juveniles was estimated to be 67.1667 mg/kg. Taken together, the inclusion of 67.1667 mg/kg of ASA is recommended in the feed of grass carp juveniles for optimum growth performance. We also recommend analysing the effect of ASA in combination with vitamin A and E. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic granulomatosis is a chronic disease that affects the majority of farmed meagre (A. regius). Nutritional imbalances and overcrowding can increase the risk to suffer oxidative stress, and consequently, impact the incidence of granulomatosis. In order to evaluate this, juvenile meagre were fed five isolipidic (16.7%) and isoproteic (49.6%) fish meal and fish oil‐based feeds prepared by adding different levels of vitamin C, minerals (Mn, Zn, Se) with constant vitamin E and K (300 and 35 mg/kg respectively): Diet KEC (100 mg/kg C), Diet KEC+Mn/Zn/Se (100 mg/kg C, 40 mg/kg Mn, 200 mg/kg Zn, 1.5 mg/kg Se), Diet KECC (600 mg/kg C), Diet KECCC (1200 mg/kg C), Diet KECCCC (3200 mg/kg C). All diets were tested at 3.20 kg/m3, but diets KECC and KECCCC were also tested at 6.20 kg/m3. Growth performance was only affected by stocking density, being lower at high density. The percentage of fish with granulomas was significantly lower in fish fed with the highest dietary vitamin C contents (KECCC and KECCCC) at low density. TBARS content was correlated with the percentage of granulomas in the liver (R2 = 0.9439, y = 0.003x − 0.1242) denoting the involvement of an imbalance oxidative status in the appearance of granulomas. The present results show that high levels of vitamin C (1200–3200 mg/kg C) and low stock density (3.20 kg/m3) favours the growth of juvenile meagre, reducing the lipid peroxidation indicators and decreasing the incidence of granulomas, which confirms that this pathology is mostly triggered by the deficiency of antioxidant nutrients, particularly vitamin C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult koi carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) were fed with feed supplemented with vitamin C at 200 mg/kg feed (T1), 400 mg/kg feed (T2) and 600 mg/kg feed (T3), and vitamin E at 200 mg/kg feed (T4), 400 mg/kg feed (T5) and 600 mg/kg feed (T6) at ad libitum for 60 days. Control (without vitamin inclusion) was also maintained. Observations were made on the growth performance, GSI and biochemical composition of gonads such as crude protein, crude fat, cholesterol and carotenoid once in 15 days. At the end of the experiment, fertilization was done to record the fertilization and hatching rate. The difference in the values was noticed among the male and female koi carp. Fish supplemented with vitamin E at 200 mg/kg feeexhibited higher growth in both male and female fish, and the fertilization rate and hatching rate were also higher in that group, and the values were significantly different (p < 0.05) and showed linear and quadratic trends. Inclusion of vitamin C at 600 mg/kg feed had shown higher lipid and carotenoid contents of female koi carp (p<0.05). Hence, the results revealed that supplementing vitamin C and E in the diet is necessary for the successful reproduction of koi carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]