Ascorbic acid absorption in Crohn's disease. Studies using L-(carboxyl-/sup 14/C)ascorbic acid

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Dig. Dis. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01536333· OSTI ID:6098547

Pettit, S H; Shaffer, J L; Johns, C W; Bennett, R J; Irving, M H

Total body pool and intestinal absorption of ascorbic acid were studied in 12 patients undergoing operation for Crohn's disease (six with fistulae and six without) and in six control patients undergoing operation for reasons other than Crohn's disease. L-(carboxyl-/sup 14/C)Ascorbic acid, 0.19-0.40 megabecquerels (MBq), was given orally. After a period of equilibration, the labeled ascorbic acid was flushed out of the patient's body tissues using large doses of unlabeled ascorbic acid. Intestinal absorption of ascorbic acid, assessed from the total cumulative urinary /sup 14/C recovery, was found to be similar in patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease (73.9 +/- 8.45%), those without fistulas (72.8 +/- 11.53%), and in controls (80.3 +/- 8.11%). Total body pools of ascorbic acid, calculated using the plasma /sup 14/C decay curves, were similar in patients with Crohn's disease with fistulas (17.1 +/- 5.91 mg/kg), patients without fistulas (9.6 +/- 3.58 mg/kg), and in controls (13.3 +/- 4.28 mg/kg). The results indicate that ascorbic acid absorption is normal in patients with both fistulizing and nonfistulizing Crohn's disease. The results suggest that routine supplements of vitamin C are not necessary unless oral ascorbic acid intake is low.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Manchester School of Medicine, Salford (England)
• OSTI ID: 6098547
• Journal Information: Dig. Dis. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Dig. Dis. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 34:4; ISSN DDSCD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550901* -- Pathology-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION
ANIMALS
ASCORBIC ACID
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES
DISEASES
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MAN
PATHOGENESIS
PATIENTS
PRIMATES
TRACER TECHNIQUES
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES
VITAMINS