Possible Involvement of Vitamin C in Periodontal Disease-Diabetes Mellitus Association

• Main Authors: Maria Bogdan, Andreea Daniela Meca, Mihail Virgil Boldeanu, Dorin Nicolae Gheorghe, Adina Turcu-Stiolica, Mihaela-Simona Subtirelu, Lidia Boldeanu, Mihaela Blaj, Gina Eosefina Botnariu, Cristiana Elena Vlad, Liliana Georgeta Foia, Petra Surlin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: vitamin c; ascorbic acid; diabetes mellitus; periodontal disease
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/2/553

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an important water-soluble vitamin found in many fruits and vegetables. It has well-documented beneficial effects on the human body and is used as a supplement, alone or in combination with other vitamins and minerals. Over recent years, research has focused on possible new therapeutic actions in chronic conditions including periodontal disease (PD). We conducted a systematic review on clinical trials from four databases (PubMed, Clinical Trials, Cochrane, Web of Science) which measured plasmatic/salivary levels of ascorbic acid in PD−diabetes mellitus (DM) association. Six studies were included in our review, three of them analyzing patients with different grades of PD and DM who received vitamin C as a treatment (500 mg vitamin C/day for 2 months and 450 mg/day for 2 weeks) or as part of their alimentation (guava fruits), in combination with standard therapies and procedures. Decreased levels of vitamin C were observed in PD patients with DM but data about efficacy of vitamin C administration are inconclusive. Given the important bidirectional relationship between PD and DM, there is a strong need for more research to assess the positive effects of ascorbic acid supplementation in individuals suffering from both diseases and also its proper regimen for these patients.