| RESEARCH PAPER |
|
| Year : 1998 | Volume
: 30
| Issue : 2 | Page : 94-96 |
An experimental and clinical evaluation of immunomodulating potential of ascorbic acid
KU Ansari, N Kastury, SL Tewarson, S Singh, RC Pandey
Correspondence Address:
K U Ansari
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
Objectives: To find the effects of ascorbic acid on immune system in rabbits and human volunteers.
Methods: In humans, humoral immunity was measured by immunoglobulin estimation (IgG, IgM, IgA) using tripantigen plates and cell mediated immunity by total lymphocyte count and T-cell count. In rabbits, widal agglutination test using typhoid-H antigen and Dinitro chlorobenzene (DNCB) and tuberculin skin sensitivity tests were performed as measurement of humoral and cell-mediated immunity, respectively.
Result: Administration of ascorbic acid 500 mg thrice daily orally for 21 days increased serum immunoglobulin in human subjects. In rabbits, ascorbic acid administration in the dose of 200 mg/kg/day orally for 21 days caused a rise in antibody titre. No effect on cell mediated immunity was found in human as well as animal models.
Conclusion: Ascorbic acid appears to stimulate humoral immunity through increased antibody synthesis particularly IgG, IgA and IgM types and also by activating the macrophages.
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