Antioxidative Properties of Ascorbic Acid

Overview

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an important hydrophilic compound with antioxidative effect. In the introduction theauthors describe possible consequences of loss of vitamin C synthetic ability in an evolutionary ancestor ofAnthropoidea. Metabolism of this vitamin is described briefly along with possibilities of its supplementation anddetermination in biological fluids. Highest attention is payed to metabolic effects of vitamin C, respectively to changeswhich can be observed after its deprivation, or after the supplementation with this vitamin. Protective effect of vitaminC against lipoperoxidation, its role in modulation of immunity and tumorigenesis are described. Many effects ofvitamin C can be explained by its antioxidative activity. The authors show that under concrete conditions,administration of vitamin C canb e accompanied by a prooxidative effect. Since vitamin C works in cooperation withother antioxidants, its administration in diseases which are followed by oxidative stress is move effective when usedin combined preparations.

Key words:
vitamin C, ascorbic acid, antioxidants, lipoperoxidation.