Table 1.
Summary of studies of ascorbate administration with vasopressor-related endpoints
| Study type | Study group | Intervention | Findings | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-clinical | 24 rats (8/group) | Centrally administered ascorbate (0, 200, 600 nmol) | ↑ vasopressin release | [62] |
| ↑ antidiuresis | ||||
| ↑ natriuresis | ||||
| Case report | Hospital patient | Intravenous ascorbate (1,500 mg/day) | ↑ arterial pressure | [35] |
| ↓ heart rate | ||||
| Normalised central venous pressure | ||||
| ↓ need for catecholamines | ||||
| Improved multiple organ dysfunction | ||||
| Case report | Hospital patient | Oral ascorbate (500 mg/day) | Resolution of orthostatic hypotension | [36] |
| Clinical (retrospective) | 33 severely burned patients (16–17/group) | Intravenous ascorbate (0, 66 mg/kg/h) | ↓ fluid requirement | [39] |
| ↓ number of patients requiring vasopressors | ||||
| Clinical (randomised, prospective) | 37 severely burned patients (17–18/group) | Intravenous ascorbate (0, 66 mg/kg/h) | ↓ resuscitation fluid volume | [38] |
| ↑ diuresis | ||||
| ↓ length of mechanical ventilation | ||||
| Clinical (phase I randomised controlled trial) | 24 severe sepsis patients (8/group) | Intravenous ascorbate (0, 50, 200 mg/kg/24 h) | ↓ systemic organ failure | [12] |
| ↑ systolic blood pressurea | ||||
| ↑ mean arterial pressurea |
aPreviously unpublished data (R. Natarajan and A. Fowler)
↑ increase, ↓ decrease