Two Faces of Vitamin C—Antioxidative and Pro-Oxidative Agent

Julia Kaźmierczak-Barańska; Karolina Boguszewska; Angelika Adamus-Grabicka; Bolesław T. Karwowski

doi:10.3390/nu12051501

journal article Open Access May 21, 2020

Two Faces of Vitamin C—Antioxidative and Pro-Oxidative Agent

Julia Kaźmierczak-Barańska

Karolina Boguszewska

Angelika Adamus-Grabicka

Bolesław T. Karwowski

Nutrients Vol. 12 No. 5 pp. 1501 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/nu12051501

Abstract

Vitamin C has been known for decades. It is common in everyday use as an element of the diet, supplementation, and a preservative. For years, research has been conducted to precisely determine the mechanism of action of ascorbate in the cell. Available results indicate its multi-directional cellular effects. Vitamin C, which belongs to antioxidants scavenging free radicals, also has a ‘second face’—as a pro-oxidative factor. However, whether is the latter nature a defect harmful to the cell, or whether a virtue that is a source of benefit? In this review, we discuss the effects of vitamin C treatment in cancer prevention and the role of ascorbate in maintaining redox balance in the central nervous system (CNS). Finally, we discuss the effect of vitamin C supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative DNA damage and review the evidence that vitamin C has radioprotective properties.

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Details

Published: May 21, 2020
Vol/Issue: 12(5)
Pages: 1501
License: View

Authors

J

Julia Kaźmierczak-Barańska

DNA Damage Laboratory of Food Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland

K

Karolina Boguszewska

DNA Damage Laboratory of Food Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland

A

Angelika Adamus-Grabicka

DNA Damage Laboratory of Food Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland

B

Bolesław T. Karwowski

DNA Damage Laboratory of Food Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland

Cite This Article

Julia Kaźmierczak-Barańska, Karolina Boguszewska, Angelika Adamus-Grabicka, et al. (2020). Two Faces of Vitamin C—Antioxidative and Pro-Oxidative Agent. Nutrients, 12(5), 1501. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051501

Two Faces of Vitamin C—Antioxidative and Pro-Oxidative Agent

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