Positive Health Online

Abstract

ROSSMAN and COLLEAGUES, (1)Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, George E. Whalen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, examined the impact of intravenous ascorbate administration (AO) on biological  markers of antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress, and subsequently skeletal muscle function during dynamic, small muscle mass exercise in patients with COPD.

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with systemic oxidative stress and skeletal muscle dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of intravenous ascorbate administration (AO) on biological markers of antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress, and subsequently skeletal muscle function during dynamic, small muscle mass exercise in patients with COPD.

Methodology

Ten patients with spirometric evidence of COPD performed single-leg knee extensor (KE) trials matched for intensity and time (isotime) following intravenous ascorbate (2 g) or saline infusion (PL). Quadriceps fatigue was quantified by changes in force elicited by maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and magnetic femoral nerve stimulation (Qtw,pot).

Results

AO administration significantly increased antioxidant capacity, as measured by the ferric-reducing ability of plasma (PL: 1 ± 0.1 vs. AO: 5 ± 0.2 mM), and significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels (PL: 1.16 ± 0.1 vs. AO: 0.97 ± 0.1 mmol). Additionally, resting blood pressure was significantly reduced (PL: 104 ± 4 vs. AO: 93 ± 6 mmHg) and resting femoral vascular conductance was significantly elevated after AO (PL: 2.4 ± 0.2 vs. AO: 3.6 ± 0.4 ml·min(-1)·mmHg(-1)). During isotime exercise, the AO significantly attenuated both the ventilatory and metabolic responses, and patients accumulated significantly less peripheral quadriceps fatigue, as illustrated by less of a fall in MVC (PL: -11 ± 2% vs. AO: -5 ± 1%) and Qtw,pot (PL: -37 ± 1% vs. AO: -30 ± 2%).

Conclusion

These data demonstrate a beneficial role of AO administration on skeletal muscle fatigue in patients with COPD and further implicate systemic oxidative stress as a causative factor in the skeletal muscle dysfunction observed in this population.

References

Rossman MJ(1), Garten RS, Groot HJ, Reese V, Zhao J, Amann M, Richardson RS. Ascorbate infusion increases skeletal muscle fatigue resistance in patients with  chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 305(10):R1163-70. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00360.2013. Nov 15 2013. Epub Sep 25 2013.

Comment

This research demonstrated significant increased antioxidant capacity and other beneficial effects of intravenous ascorbate administration (AO) upon biological markers of systemic oxidative stress in patients with COPD.