CATIE IMMUNOMODULATORS: Vitamin C for platelets

IMMUNOMODULATORS: Vitamin C for platelets

TreatmentUpdate41: Vol. 4, No. 1 - March, 1993
Sean Hosein

Doctors have used a variety of therapies in attempts to treat people who have lower-than-normal levels of platelets. Not all drugs work in all patients. Several years ago doctors in Montreal found that one of their patients with ITP experienced increases in her levels of platelets. On questioning her they learnt that she had started to take supplements of vitamin C. The doctors then decided to experiment on some of their other patients who had low blood levels of platelets unrelated to HIV infection.

Trial Details

The doctors enrolled 11 subjects who had ITP for more than 2 months despite using a variety of therapies: antibody infusions, immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids, anti-cancer agents and removal of the spleen. The subjects received 2 grams of vitamin C every morning for 4 to 6 weeks.

Results

According to the study doctors, 9 of 11 subjects "responded" to the vitamin C by producing increased numbers of platelets. In two of these 9 subjects, the increases were only temporary. It took about 10 weeks for half of the 9 "responding subjects" to develop sustained increases in their platelet count. In total, 7 subjects had sustained increases in their platelet counts, one for as many as 30 months. Reducing the dose of vitamin C caused the platelet count to fall in 2 subjects. Their platelet count returned to normal when they resumed use of 2 grams of vitamin C.

Why Did Vitamin C Work?

The precise role played by vitamin C in raising the platelet count is not clear. It is possible that these subjects could have experienced a remission in their condition. Such remissions for prolonged periods are rare. According to the doctors who conducted the study, less than 1% of patients with ITP have "spontaneous remissions when followed for a long [time]."

References:

1. Brox AG, Howson-Jan K and Fauser AA. Treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura with ascorbate. British Journal of Haematology 1988;70:341-344.

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