U de S research suggests Vitamin C to reduce impact of septic shock

Septic shock is a virulent generalized inflammatory response of the body to a major infection. Septic shock quickly becomes insurmountable and is often fatal, because it paralyzes the vital organs and leaves major complications. More than eight million deaths worldwide are attributed to septic shock each year. In Canada, Europe and the United States, it is one of the leading causes of death in hospitals.

François Lamontagne, professor-researcher in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and at the CHUS Research Center and intensive care specialist at the CIUSSS of Estrie CHUS, has just received a major research grant for his LOVIT project. A non-profit Canadian granting agency has donated more than $2.8 million to conduct an ambitious clinical study of the effect of high concentrations of intravenous vitamin C on mortality and the need for intensive care in patients with septic shock.

The research team is supported by research colleagues at the University of Toronto and Queen's University.

"For some time now there has been a trend among the scientific community for “natural" medicines,” Lamontagne explained. “Studies suggest that a combination of intravenous vitamin C and other medications may be effective in preventing vital organ dysfunction and thus reducing the number of deaths caused by septic shock."

Studies have shown that patients with septic shock have low vitamin C levels and researchers believe that low levels of vitamin C are associated with several abnormalities in some vital organ functions that can lead to death. Studies have also shown that administration of intravenous vitamin C may restore immunological and micro-vascular function, which would protect vital organs.

In all, 800 Canadian and European patients will participate in the project, which could have major implications for treatment.