Positive Health Online

Abstract

TOUSOULIS and colleagues, Cardiology Department, Athens University Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece, tousouli@med.uoa.gr, have found that vitamin C affects the thrombosis / fibrinolysis system and reactive hyperaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background

Patients with both type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease were investigated for potential beneficial effects of a short-term treatment with vitamin C.

Methodology

39 patients with diabetes and coronary heart disease were divided into 2 groups to receive either 2 g of vitamin C per day or no antioxidants for 4 weeks. Blood flow was measured after that time, and biochemical markers of thrombosis and also of fibrinolysis, the opposite process, were quantified.

Results

Blood flow was significantly improved in the treatment group. Clotting factor V, von Willebrand factor (a marker for thrombosis), and tissue plasminogen activator (a marker for fibrinolysis) were reduced by the treatment.

Conclusion

Short-term treatment with high doses of vitamin C improved reactive hyperemia and decreased plasma levels of tissue plasminogen activator and von Willebrand factor in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease.

References

Tousoulis D, Antoniades C, Tountas C, Bosinakou E, Kotsopoulou M, Toutouzas P, Stefanadis C. Vitamin C affects thrombosis / fibrinolysis system and reactive hyperemia in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. Diabetes Care 26 (10): 2749-2753, Oct 2003.