title: Dose-dependent vitamin C uptake and radical scavenging activity in human skin measured with in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.
abstract: Vitamin C is a potent radical scavenger and a physiological part of the antioxidant system in human skin. The aim of this study was to measure changes in the radical-scavenging activity of human skin in vivo due to supplementation with different doses of vitamin C and at different time points. Therefore, 33 volunteers were supplemented with vitamin C or placebo for 4 weeks. The skin radical-scavenging activity was measured with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. After 4 weeks, the intake of 100 mg vitamin C/day resulted in a significant increase in the radical-scavenging activity by 22%. Intake of 180 mg/day even resulted in a significant increase of 37%. No changes were found in the placebo group. A part of the study population was additionally measured after 2 weeks: in this group radical scavenging had already reached maximal activity after 2 weeks. In conclusion, orally administered vitamin C increases the radical-scavenging activity of the skin. The effect occurs fast and is enhanced with higher doses of vitamin C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Anna-Christina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lauer
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Groth
authors.forename: Stefan F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Haag
authors.forename: Maxim E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Darvin
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lademann
authors.forename: Martina C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Meinke
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D001205:Ascorbic Acid