VITAMIN C

An email sent to me from Mathew Allan....

Hey Jennie. I have been doing some more research on the breakdown of vitamin c and the effects on Extrinsic and intrinsic immune mediated skin responses. I will briefly go over the response.

Foreign particles are detected and digested by an allergen presenting cell (APC) or dendrite. These cells migrate to the lymph nodes and present the degraded allergen (Protein) and major histocompatibility complex to T cells. The T cells prime B-cells which produce allergen specific antibodies which travel in the blood and bind to mast cells an bronchial mucosa so that the allergen is encountered again:

1. the mast cell degranulates releasing histamine. This attracts eosinophils to the site of allergen exposure. 

2. T cells proliferate and release cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5) in allergic individuals to increase IgE levels, while non-allergic individuals produce more IgG antibodies.

T-cells regulate the immune response. Both allergic and non-allergic individuals produce T-cells in response to allergen but the cytokine mix is different. Allergic individuals produce more IL4- and IL-5 (TH2 pathway) relative to non-allergic individuals. While non-allergic individuals produce more interferon gamma (TH1 pathway).

Vitamin c and the immune response: Vitamin c has the ability to raise T-cells in the immune response. When regular smaller amounts are administered to an allergic individual they produce more IL4- and IL-5 (TH2 pathway) which can strenghthen the allergic response. But on the other hand, if large amounts are administered after the t-cell response ( after rash or eczma appears) this can assist in the release of more interferon gamma (TH1 pathway). This produces more stable IgG antibodies where as if the same person took the same dose while not experiencing a T-cell action can cause the release of IgE antibodies.

That is the answer to the Lupus treatment with vitamin c. The lupus sufferer is already in the process of releasing T-cell actively on an IgE allergic basis. So a massive dose of vitamin c at this time will cause the already released T-cells to release IgG antibodies correcting the over abundance of IL-4 and IL-5 and reducing the uncontrolled immune response. The vitamin c thus act as a natural version of cromolyn which prevents the released mast cell from degranulating and releasing histamine and thus inflammation.  

I also found the fact interesting that a high intake of Vitamin A can prevent this positive action of vitamin c and returns the immune system back to TH2.  

Well it was good to refresh on that. Just thought you might find it interesting…..Mat