Vitamin C for sepsis: from mechanisms to individualized therapy

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Source: Frontiers Medicine

Original: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1700351...

Published: 2025-12-18T00:00:00Z

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease associated with excessive inflammation and oxidative stress, in which many patients show acute vitamin C deficiency[1]. Vitamin C has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial functions, which make it a promising candidate for adjunctive treatment of sepsis[1]. Preclinical studies show that intravenous vitamin C can reduce organ damage and improve survival in models of sepsis[1][2]. However, clinical trials have produced mixed results, and the evidence for clinical benefit in humans is equivocal[1][8]. The pharmacological effects of vitamin C depend on the concentration achieved, and the vitamin has complex pharmacokinetics, which makes setting the appropriate dosage crucial for the therapeutic effect[1]. The review identifies limitations of existing clinical trials, including variability in dosing regimens and lack of an individualized approach to therapy[1]. The authors emphasize the need for further research aimed at elucidating the mechanisms of action, optimizing dosage and identifying patients who would benefit from the therapy[1].