The Effect of Vitamin C on Apoptosis and Bax/Bcl-2 Proteins Ratio in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes of Patients during Cardiac Interventional Procedures

BACKGROUND: There is a close relationship between the effects of free radicals and apoptosis, and vitamin C is known as a potent scavenger of free radicals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin C against the radiation-induced apoptosis and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 proteins in peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients undergoing cardiac procedures in vivo condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this clinical intervention study, blood samples from 6 patients in the first group were taken to assess the effect of radiation on the apoptosis and Bax/Bcl-2 proteins ratio, and 5 patients as the second group to evaluate the effect of vitamin C on the apoptosis and Bax/Bcl-2 proteins ratio before and 24 hours after the examination. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the apoptosis and ELISA method to assess Bax and Bcl-2 proteins amount. RESULTS: In the second group receiving 25 mg/kg vitamin C and a mean skin dose of 1001 mGy in the chest area, there was no significant difference (P <0.05) in the percentage of early apoptosis in 24 hours after the examination than before it. This significant increase in the percentage of apoptosis in the first group (385.6 mGy) was associated with a significant increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio (P <0.05), while in the second group, it was not associated with a significant decrease in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in 24 hours after the examination than before it. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that vitamin C may modulate Bax and Bcl-2 proteins expression, in maintaining peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients undergoing cardiology in radiation-induced apoptosis.