Editorial commentary. The role of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the prevention and therapy of oral diseases

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.

Abstract

As humans can neither store nor produce vitamin C, from 'the angle of prevention, a person should consume fresh fruit and vegetables'.

Main

Sigusch BW. Arch Oral Biol 2013; 58: 905–906

This commentary highlights some of the issues examined in a systematic review published in this edition of the journal (Arch Oral Biol 2013; 58: 563–557). In the substantial paper, it was concluded that vitamin C is 'an effective cytotoxic agent against oral neoplastic cells with potentially no harming effects on normal cells.' There is the usual caveat that there are insufficient clinical trials. When considering vitamin C supplements, hypervitaminosis is unlikely as surplus quantities of vitamin C are excreted through the kidneys and the intestine for very high doses. But then the commentator cautions against supplements as these could 'lead to uncontrolled pro-oxidative effects.' Yet ascorbic acid at certain concentrations could exert a 'pro-oxidant associated cytotoxic effect on neoplastic cells'.