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A short overview of vitamin C and selected cells of the immune system

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Central European Journal of Medicine

Abstract

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential water-soluble nutrient that primarily exerts its effect on a host defense mechanisms and immune homeostasis and is the most important physiological antioxidant. Stable intake of vitamin C is essential for life in humans because the body does not synthesize it. Even the numerous studies have demonstrated that vitamin C supplementation stimulates the immune system, prevents DNA damage and significantly decreases the risk of a wide range of pathologies; the potential protective mechanisms are still largely unknown. This review summarizes the recently known facts about the role of vitamin C on the selected cells of the immune system and potential molecular mechanisms involved. Further, in this review, many new data about the positive effects of vitamin C on the immune system, potential toxicological effects, vitamin C supplementation in disease development, as well as some proposed mechanisms of vitamin C activity, are discussed.

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  1. Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, University in Nis, 18000, Nis, Serbia

    Voja Pavlovic

  2. Medical Faculty, University in Nis, 18000, Nis, Serbia

    M. Sarac

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  1. Voja Pavlovic
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  2. M. Sarac
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Pavlovic, V., Sarac, M. A short overview of vitamin C and selected cells of the immune system. cent.eur.j.med 6, 1–10 (2011). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11536-010-0066-x

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