Reevaluating vitamin C in sepsis and septic shock: a potential benefit in severe cases?

Abstract

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) has evolved as an emergent co-intervention for sepsis and septic shock patients. Multiple studies discussed the pathophysiological value of vitamin C to reserve endothelial functionality and improve microcirculatory flow in these patients. Nevertheless, most randomized clinical trials failed to show the clinical impact of adding vitamin C to sepsis and septic shock. Pneumonia is the most common infection to induce sepsis and septic shock, which could be an acute respiratory distress syndrome. Preliminary in-vitro data support the role of vitamin C in mitigating the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) development. This review aims to compare and contrast these trials and explore differences in their patients' populations, methodologies, and outcomes, emphasizing pneumonia-induced sepsis and septic shock.

Keywords: ascorbic acid; critically ill; pneumonia; sepsis; septic shock; vitamin C.