Ascorbic acid supplementation attenuates exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma

Sandra L. Tecklenburg, Timothy D. Mickleborough, Alyce D. Fly, Yeon Bai, Joel M. Stager

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

97 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Previous research has shown that diet can modify the bronchoconstrictor response to exercise in asthmatic subjects. Objective: Determine the effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on pulmonary function and several urinary markers of airway inflammation in asthmatic subjects with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Methods: Eight asthmatic subjects with documented EIB participated in a randomized, placebo controlled double-blind crossover trial. Subjects entered the study on their usual diet and were placed on either 2 weeks of ascorbic acid supplementation (1500 mg/day) or placebo, followed by a 1-week washout period, before crossing over to the alternative diet. Pre- and post-exercise pulmonary function, asthma symptom scores, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), and urinary leukotriene (LT) C4-E4 and 9α, 11β-prostagladin (PG)F2] were assessed at the beginning of the trial (usual diet) and at the end of each treatment period. Results: The ascorbic acid diet significantly reduced (p<0.05) the maximum fall in post-exercise FEV1 (-6.4±2.4%) compared to usual (-14.3±1.6%) and placebo diet (-12.9±2.4%). Asthma symptoms scores significantly improved (p<0.05) on the ascorbic acid diet compared to the placebo and usual diet. Post-exercise FENO, LTC4-E4 and 9α, 11β-PGF2 concentration was significantly lower (p<0.05) on the ascorbic acid diet compared to the placebo and usual diet. Conclusion: Ascorbic acid supplementation provides a protective effect against exercise-induced airway narrowing in asthmatic subjects.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1770-1778
Number of pages9
JournalRespiratory Medicine
Volume101
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2007

Keywords

  • Antioxidant
  • Asthma
  • Diet
  • Exercise-induced asthma
  • Inflammation

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