Vitamin C enhances liver cancer treatmentCase report: The efficacy of adding high doses of intravenous vitamin C to the combination therapy of atezolizumab and bevacizumab in unresectable HCC.
Combination therapy shows promise.
We observed an intriguing case involving a 68-year-old male patient diagnosed with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This case focused on the potential benefits of incorporating high-dose intravenous vitamin C into the treatment regimen alongside atezolizumab and bevacizumab.
Initially, the patient underwent the combination therapy, but while the imaging showed stable disease, there was only a modest decline in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. Unfortunately, the patient's condition further declined. In response, a dose of 30 grams of intravenous vitamin C was added to the treatment plan.
Remarkably, this adjustment led to a swift and noteworthy reduction in AFP levels, normalization of liver function tests, and substantial improvement in overall symptoms. Four months later, imaging indicated significant tumor shrinkage and necrosis.
As of 30 months post-diagnosis, the patient benefits from the combined regimen, showing normal liver function and a dramatically reduced AFP level, all while maintaining an active lifestyle. This case demonstrates the potential synergistic effects of high-dose vitamin C in treating unresectable HCC alongside standard therapies, warranting further investigation into such combination approaches.
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Vitamin C reduces liver injuryThe Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Hepatic Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury in Wistar Rats: An Experimental Study.
Highly relevant protective effects
We evaluated how vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, can help protect the liver during procedures that temporarily cut off blood flow—a process known as ischaemia followed by reperfusion. In this study, we used thirty-six male Wistar rats, split into control groups and experimental ones. Each group received the same total dose of vitamin C, administered at different times: either before the ischaemia, before the reperfusion, or both.
Our findings showed that the animals given vitamin C before both the ischaemia and reperfusion had improved outcomes. They had lower levels of liver enzymes, indicating less liver damage, and showed reduced inflammation. Additionally, their portal blood flow was better when compared to the other groups. Overall, our results suggest that administering vitamin C at specific times can significantly reduce liver injury associated with ischaemia-reperfusion.
This study highlights the potential of vitamin C as a protective agent in situations where liver damage is a concern during surgeries or treatments involving blood flow disruption.
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L-AP mitigates liver injuryL-AP Alleviates Liver Injury in Septic Mice by Inhibiting Macrophage Activation via Suppressing NF-κB and NLRP3 Inflammasome/Caspase-1 Signal Pathways.
Highly relevant to liver injury
This study investigated how L-ascorbic acid 6-palmitate (L-AP), a derivative of vitamin C, could affect liver injury during sepsis. We focused on understanding its potential to alleviate liver damage caused by an overactive immune response. Through a series of experiments, including the cecal ligation and puncture method in mice, we observed that L-AP significantly increased the survival rates of these animals.
We found that L-AP treatment also reduced liver inflammation, which was evidenced by improved liver tissue health, less liver cell death, and lower levels of liver enzymes in the blood. Interestingly, the effects of L-AP were similar to the results seen in mice that lacked the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key player in inflammation.
Moreover, L-AP appeared to dampen the hyper-inflammatory response characteristic of sepsis. In both the liver tissues and cultured macrophages, we noted a decrease in inflammatory markers linked to the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. This included lower expression levels of specific inflammatory proteins and less macrophage activation, promoting a more anti-inflammatory response instead.
Overall, our findings reveal that L-AP may help protect the liver during severe bacterial infections by mitigating the harmful effects of macrophage activation and the resultant inflammation. While this study points toward the possible benefits of an ascorbic acid derivative in treating septic liver damage, further investigation is necessary to fully unravel its mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications.
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Vitamin E shows promise for MASHVitamin E (300 mg) in the treatment of MASH: A multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
High relevance to liver disease
We investigated the effects of a daily dose of 300 mg vitamin E for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). In our study, 124 non-diabetic individuals were randomly assigned to either vitamin E or a placebo.
The results showed that 29.3% of those on vitamin E had improvements in liver histology, compared to just 14.1% in the placebo group. While we saw significant benefits in liver conditions like steatosis and inflammation, 12 serious adverse events were reported, although they weren’t linked to the treatment.
Overall, our findings indicate that vitamin E may offer meaningful improvements in liver health for those with MASH.
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Vitamin E improves liver healthA 6-month randomized controlled trial for vitamin E supplementation in pediatric patients with Gaucher disease: Effect on oxidative stress, disease severity and hepatic complications.
Highly relevant study findings
We examined how vitamin E supplementation affects liver disease in children with Gaucher disease. In this clinical trial, 40 pediatric patients receiving enzyme replacement therapy were divided into two groups: one received vitamin E for six months and the other did not.
The results showed that vitamin E significantly reduced oxidative stress markers and improved liver health, as indicated by decreases in liver and spleen volumes and stiffness. This suggests that vitamin E can enhance treatment efficacy for Gaucher disease, making it a safe and beneficial addition to existing therapies.
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