Chemoprotective Role of Vitamin C in Liver Diseases

Abstract Ascorbic acid (AA), the active form of vitamin C, is a potent antioxidant involved in many functions throughout the body, particularly in the liver. SLC2A and SLC23A plasma membrane transporters account for the efficient intestinal absorption and cellular uptake of AA and its oxidized form dehydroascorbic acid (DHA). Although human cells are unable to synthesize AA, they can activate DHA into AA. Impaired supply, uptake or metabolic handling of vitamin C could be implicated in enhanced hepatic fragility, which can lead to liver damage associated with several liver diseases, such as cholestasis, viral hepatitis, and most frequently to alcoholic and nonalcoholic-induced fat accumulation in the liver. Several reports have concluded that the supplemental administration of this vitamin is useless, if not dangerous, for antioxidant purposes. In most cases, a healthy diet and lifestyle seems to be much more efficient in preventing oxidative stress and fat accumulation in the liver than an enhanced intake of vitamin C.