ASSESSMENT OF ORAL ASCORBATE IN THREE CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC GRANULOMATOUS-DISEASE AND DEFECTIVE NEUTROPHIL MOTILITY OVER A 2-YEAR PERIOD

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (1) , 180-188
Abstract
Two brothers and their sister with chronic granulomatous disease elevated levels of serum IgE and defective neutrophil motility were treated with a single oral daily dose of 1 g sodium ascorbate as a supplement to prophylactic trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole therapy for 2 yr. Laboratory tests of neutrophil functions were performed prior to ascorbate therapy and repeated at 1 mo. intervals for 6 mo. and at 6 mo. intervals thereafter. Introduction of ascorbate to the therapeutic regimen was accompanied by slight increases in neutrophil hexose monophosphate shunt activity and staphylocidal activity and good improvement of neutrophil motility in all 3 children. The improved staphylocidal activity was not due to ascorbate-mediated inhibition of neutrophil or serum catalase activities or to detectable increases in superoxide and H2O2 production or activity of the MPO[myeloperoxidase]/H2O2/halide system. Both male children remained free from obvious infection as ascorbate was added to their therapeutic treatment with prophylactic co-trimoxazole and ascorbate was inadvertently stopped. All 3 children have gained weight.