Vitamin C-lipid metabolites: Uptake and retention and effect on plasma C-reactive protein and oxidized LDL levels in healthy volunteers

Background: Previously, a novel formulation of vitamin C-lipid metabolites (PureWay-C®) was shown to be more rapidly taken-up by human T-lymphocytes and more rapidly stimulate neurite outgrowth, fibroblast adhesion and inhibition of xenobiotic-induced T-cell hyperactivation. Here, PureWay-C® serum levels were measured in healthy volunteers after oral supplementation. Plasma C-reactive protein and oxidized low density lipoprotein levels (LDL) were also measured. Material/Methods: Healthy volunteers maintained a low vitamin C diet for 14 days and, following an overnight fast, received a single oral dose of (vitamin C) 1000 mg of either ascorbic acid (AA), calcium ascorbate (CaA), vitamin C-lipid metabolites (PureWay-C®), or calcium ascorbate-calcium threonate-dehydroascorbate (Ester-C®). Blood samples were collected immediately prior to the oral dose administration and at various times post ingestion. Twenty-four-hour urine collections were saved for oxalate and uric acid assays. Results: PureWay-C® supplementation leads to the highest absolute serum vitamin C levels when compared to AA, CaA and Ester-C®. PureWay-C® provides a statistically significant greater serum level than calcium ascorbate at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours post oral supplementation whereas Ester-C® shows a less but slightly statistically significant increase at only 1 and 4 hours. Oral supplementation with PureWay-C® also led to a greater reduction in plasma C-reactive protein and oxidized LDL levels compared to the other vitamin C formulations. Conclusions: PureWay-C® is more rapidly absorbed and leads to higher serum vitamin C levels and greater reduction of plasma levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers than other forms of vitamin C, including Ester-C®.