Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with abnormalities of skeletal muscle metabolism. This may be due to impaired oxygen delivery as a result of endothelial dysfunction. AIMS: We postulated that ascorbic acid would improve oxygen delivery to exercising muscle and improve skeletal muscle metabolism. METHODS: We studied skeletal muscle metabolism using (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 39 CHF patients. Endothelial function was assessed by changes in pulse wave velocity. Subjects were randomised to receive 4 g ascorbic acid daily for 4 weeks in a placebo-controlled double-blind study. RESULTS: Ascorbic acid significantly increased phosphocreatine utilization during exercise. In addition, glycolytic ATP synthesis increased in the ascorbic acid group (change in rate of ATP synthesis at 1 min -0.21+/-0.76 with placebo, 2.06+/-0.60 following ascorbic acid; p
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 287-91 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | European Journal of Heart Failure |
Volume | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2007 |
Keywords
- magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- ascorbic acid
- endothelial function
- chronic heart failure