IV Vitamin C in the Treatment of Acute Sepsis...A Paradigm Shift That Will Save Lives!

I just recently did a podcast with Dr. Ramesh Natarajan (and YouTube) on his work with Dr. Alpha Fowler and colleagues from Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care, on their pioneering work on the use of intravenous Vitamin C between 3.5 - 15 grams IV in 3-4 divided doses which resulted in a rapid reductions in multiple organ injury (SOFA) scores an a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein and procalcitonin indicating a reduction in systemic inflammation. 

Sepsis is a massive acute "autoimmune response" from an infection in which the immune system attacks one's internal organs, resulting in their failure and death from vascular collapse. Low plasma vitamin C levels increase the risk to sepsis. 41% percent of hospitalized patients are deficient in vitamin C and 19% have scurvy (classic vitamin C deficiency).

Sepsis costs 20 billion dollars a year in the U.S. to treat. A day treatment in the hospital can cost $18,000-20,000. A single dose of intravenous vitamin C may cost $50.00.

Vitamin C may work in reducing sepsis incidence and prevent death by:

  • Vitamin C is required for normal endothelial function.
  • Vitamin C can reduce endothelial permeability in sepsis.
  • Vitamin C reduces leukocyte plugging of microvessels.
  • Critical pro-inflammatory proteins are attenuated by vitamin C .
  • Vitamin C stabilizes immune function in sepsis.
  • Vitamin C may relieve hypotension associated with sepsis.
  • Vitamin C preserves lung barrier function and improves alveolar fluid clearance in sepsis.
  • Vitamin C normalized the coagulopathy of sepsis.
  • Vitamin C is anti-infective and has profound bacteriostatic effects.

“Ascorbate-dependent vasopressor synthesis: a rationale for vitamin C administration in severe sepsis and septic shock?” Crit Care. 2015 Nov 27;19:418. 51301 (5/2016) Ramesh Natarajan, Ph.D. Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University Box 980050, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA ramesh.natarajan@vcuhealth.org

Expert Interview by Kirk Hamilton PA-C with Alpha A. Fowler, III, MD Sepsis in the Hospital and High Dose Intravenous Ascorbic Acid

“Phase I safety trial of intravenous ascorbic acid in patients with severe sepsis.” J Transl Med. 2014;12:32. 50917 (8/2015) Alpha A Fowler, III, MD, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980050, Richmond, VA 23298-0050, USA, (804) 828-9071/ (804) 828-2578 (FAX) afowler@mcvh-vcu.edu

“Intravenous Vitamin C – Integrative Therapies” a first-time conference sponsored by the University of Kansas Medical Center, September 30 – October 1, 2016. (See Dr. Drisko interview). Dr. Ramesh Natarajan will be speaking at this conference.

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

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