Early ascorbic acid depletion is related to the severity of acute pancreatitis

M. J.D. Bonham, F. M. Abu-Zidan, M. O. Simovic, K. B. Sluis, A. Wilkinson, C. C. Winterbourn, J. A. Windsor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Ascorbic acid (AA) is an important endogenous antioxidant in plasma and has been shown to be decreased at the time of hospital admission in patients with acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma AA concentration continues to decrease after admission and whether the extent of decrease is related to the severity of pancreatitis. Methods: Consecutive patients with mild (n = 62) and severe (n = 23) acute pancreatitis had plasma AA concentration measured on the day of recruitment and on days 2 and 5 by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The plasma AA concentration in patients with acute pancreatitis was significantly less than that in normal volunteers on days 0, 2 and 5 (P < 0.0001) and this was more marked in those with severe disease. There was a decrease in plasma AA concentration from day 0 to day 2 in patients with mild (P < 0.0001) and severe (P = 0.0005) pancreatitis, and from day 2 to day 5 in patients with severe pancreatitis (P = 0.023). Conclusion: Endogenous plasma AA continues to decrease over the first 5 days in hospital and the extent is related to the severity of acute pancreatitis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1296-1301
Number of pages6
JournalBritish Journal of Surgery
Volume86
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Early ascorbic acid depletion is related to the severity of acute pancreatitis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this