Effect of ascorbic acid on human natural killer cells.
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was found to inhibit human natural killer cell (NK cell) activity in a dose-dependent manner. Neither effector/target cell binding nor interferon (IFN)- or interleukin-2 (IL-2)-induced increases of NK activity were affected by vitamin C. Lymphocytes incubated for 1 h at 4 degrees C with vitamin C showed a normal NK activity, whereas lymphocytes incubated for 1 h at 37 degrees C with vitamin C exhibited low NK activity. Our findings suggest that vitamin C influences NK cells, probably by acting as a radical scavenger which inactivates killing factors of NK cells.
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects*
D007370:Interferon Type I; D007376:Interleukin-2; D001205:Ascorbic Acid