Vitamin C and Lipoic Acid Toxic to Cancer Cells

[Guest guest]

http://www.lef.org/whatshot/2001_06.html#vcal

 

Vitamin C and lipoic acid toxic to cancer cells

 

A study published in the British Journal of Cancer showed that vitamin C

administered in an in vitro model of cancer caused the death of cancer cells.

The addition of lipoic acid provided a synergistic effect.

 

Researchers acting on experimental and clinical evidence that vitamin C

increases survival in cancer patients and inhibits tumor growth utilized a tumor

model to test the anticancer effects of varying concentrations of vitamin C as

well as combinations of vitamin C with phenyl ascorbate, (a lipophilic vitamin C

analog), vitamin K3, two forms of lipoic acid and doxorubicin, a chemotherapy

drug. To discover whether the effective concentrations were achievable in

humans, the researchers experimentally infused a cancer patient volunteer with

varying amounts of vitamin C to determine peak plasma concentrations.

 

Ascorbic acid alone was found to increase the percentage of apoptotic and

necrotic cells in the cancer model, but the high concentration necessary may not

always be attainable by intravenous vitamin C infusion. However, the addition of

lipoic acid synergized with vitamin C to a point at which significant death of

tumor cells could occur at concentrations readily achievable by IV (30 to 60

grams). The tumor cell-killing effect of vitamin C was additively enhanced by

phenyl ascorbate and vitamin K3.

 

One of the concerns in regard to antioxidant consumption concomitant with

chemotherapy is that antioxidant nutrients will protect the tumor cells from the

drug's tumoricidal effects. With doxorubicin, low doses of vitamin C appeared to

protect cells from the effect of the drug, while high doses increased its

tumoricidal efficacy.

 

One of vitamin C's mechanisms of action in combating cancer is that of a

pro-oxidant, with high concentrations of vitamin C producing hydrogen peroxide

at a level that kills tumor cells. Other mechanisms include enhanced immune

response, strengthening of the extracellular matrix against tumor cell invasion

and a reduction in the severity of cachexia.

 

 

Gettingwell- / Vitamins, Herbs, Aminos, etc.

 

To , e-mail to: Gettingwell-

Or, go to our group site: Gettingwell

 

 

 

 

Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now