Effect of six weeks 1000 mg/day vitamin C supplementation and healthy training in elderly women on genes expression associated with the immune response - a randomized controlled trial

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#aged #ascorbic-acid #body-composition #body-mass-index #chemokine-ccl2

Effect of six weeks 1000 mg/day vitamin C supplementation and healthy training in elderly women on genes expression associated with the immune response - a randomized controlled trial

Żychowska et al., 2021 | J Int Soc Sports Nutr | Rct

Citation

Żychowska Małgorzata, Grzybkowska Agata, ... Antosiewicz Jędrzej. Effect of six weeks 1000 mg/day vitamin C supplementation and healthy training in elderly women on genes expression associated with the immune response - a randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021-Mar-02;18(1):19. doi:10.1186/s12970-021-00416-6

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated the effects of supplementation and exercise on the expression of genes associated with inflammation like CCL2, CRP, IL1, IL6, IL10 mRNA in elderly women. METHODS: Twenty four participants divided randomly into two groups were subjected to 6 weeks of the same health training program (three times per week). SUP group (supplemented, n = 12, mean age 72.8 ± 5.26 years and mean body mass 68.1 ± 8.3 kg) received 1000 mg of Vitamin C/day during the training period, while CON group (control, n = 12, mean age 72.4 ± 5.5 years and body mass 67.7 ± 7.5 kg) received placebo. RESULTS: No significant changes in IL-1, IL-6, IL-10 and CRP mRNA were observed within and between groups. However, there was a clear tendency of a decrease in IL-6 (two-way ANOVA, significant between investigated time points) and an increase in IL-10 mRNA noted in the supplemented group. A significant decrease in CCL2 mRNA was observed only in the CON group (from 2^0.2 to 2^0.1, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded, that 6 weeks of supplementation and exercise was too short to obtain significant changes in gene expression in leukocytes, but supplementation of 1000 mg vitamin C positively affected IL-6 and IL-10 expression - which are key changes in the adaptation to training. However, changes in body mass, IL1 and CCL2 were positive in CON group. It is possible that Vitamin C during 6 weeks of supplementation could have different effects on the expression of individual genes involved in the immune response. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered.

Key Findings

No significant changes in IL-1, IL-6, IL-10 and CRP mRNA were observed within and between groups. However, there was a clear tendency of a decrease in IL-6 (two-way ANOVA, significant between investigated time points) and an increase in IL-10 mRNA noted in the supplemented group. A significant decrease in CCL2 mRNA was observed only in the CON group (from 2^0.2 to 2^0.1, p = 0.01).

Outcomes Measured

  • C-reactive protein

Population

Field Value
Population elderly women
Sample Size 12
Age Range mean age 72.8
Condition inflammation

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Body Composition
  • Body Mass Index
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Immunity
  • Interleukin-1
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-6
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Physical Conditioning, Human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Time Factors
  • Vitamins

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: vitamin-c-immune

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09