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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

L-ascorbyl-2-sulfate alleviates Atlantic salmon scurvy.

Duplicate lots of 150 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), average weight 0.5 g, were fed NRC diet H-440 base containing L-ascorbic acid (C1) or L-ascorbyl-2-sulfate (C2S); or L-ascorbyl-2-monophosphate (C2MP): at 0 or 100 mg C1; 50, 100, 300 mg C2S; or 50, 100 mg C2MP per kg dry diet in 12 degrees C freshwater tanks. After 12 weeks, negative controls (no vitamin C) exhibited reduced growth, scoliosis, lordosis, and petechial hemorrhages typical of fish scurvy. All other lots grew normally. Four 100-fish lots of scorbutic salmon, average weight 3.3 g, were placed on recovery diets of 0, 50, or 300 mg C2S, or 100 mg C2MP per kg dry diet. After 5 weeks, fish fed either level of C2S intake had recovered and resumed growth. Negative controls continued to develop acute scurvy. The 41 survivors in this no-vitamin-C group all had advanced scurvy, whereas all fish in both C2S-fed recovery groups appeared normal. Tissue assays for C vitamers disclosed normal levels of C1 and C2S in the recovery groups. All other test treatment lots containing C1, C2S, or C2MP had fish with normal appearance and no significant differences in growth response for the 17-week test period. C2S at 50 mg or more per kg diet as the sole vitamin C source promoted normal growth in young Atlantic salmon for more than 20-fold increase in weight.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Hemarthrosis as initial presentation of scurvy.

Vitamin C deficiency or scurvy is a disease now rarely seen except for certain populations at risk. When it occurs, diagnosis can be difficult as it can mimic other disorders. Its manifestations are primarily due to an abnormality in collagen formation causing bleeding in the skin, joints, muscles, or gastrointestinal tract and dystrophic hair deformities. We describe a case of scurvy in a 43-year-old man who presented with new onset hemarthrosis with no history of bleeding disorder. He was found to have perifollicular hyperpigmentation and corkscrew hairs, highly suggestive of scurvy. He admitted to completely eliminating fruits and vegetables from his diet and his serum vitamin C level was markedly decreased. Treatment with daily vitamin C supplement led to relief of symptoms and resolution of skin changes.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Early scurvy complicating anorexia nervosa.

Scurvy is an extremely rare complication of anorexia nervosa. Despite the poor intake of nutrients, anorexia nervosa is not commonly associated with vitamin deficiencies. We report a case of early scurvy complicating long-standing anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa appears to be increasing in incidence. Although scurvy is unusual, this case shows the importance of its recognition as a nutritional consequence of anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia Nervosa↗
PubMed2002

[Axel Holst and Theodor Frolich--pioneers in the combat of scurvy].

Axel Holst (1860-1931), professor of hygiene and bacteriology at the University of Oslo and paediatrician Theodor Frølich (1870-1947) became interested in a disease termed "ship beriberi" which afflicted the crews of sailing ships, and which showed an uncanny likeness to scurvy. They suspected a nutritional deficiency, and established an animal model that allowed systematic study of factors that led to disease as well as the preventive value of different substances. The choice of the guinea pig as the experimental animal for these studies was one indeed fortuitous, as that species has been shown to be among the very few mammals incapable of endogenous synthesis of ascorbic acid. They found that the guinea pigs developed distinctly scurvy-like symptoms when fed a diet consisting of various types of grain either whole or baked into bread, and that these symptoms were prevented when the diet was supplemented with known antiscorbutics like fresh cabbage or lemon juice. Their findings were published in 1907 in the Journal of Hygiene, but caused scientific uproar since the concept of nutritional deficiencies was a novelty at the time. The crucial factor, Vitamin C, was discovered in 1930 by Albert Szent-Györgyi, for which he was rewarded the Nobel Prize. No prizes or proper recognition were awarded Holst and Frølich at the time. It took some 60 years before they due acclaim was given to them; the 1907 paper by Holst and Frølich is now considered the most important single contribution to elucidating the aetiology of scurvy.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[History of scurvy therapy and the injustice done to Dr. Maksim Nikolić-Miskovićev of Sremski Karlovci in the 19th century].

This paper reviews historical aspects regarding medical knowledge on scurvy, vitamin C deficiency, and its etiological factors. This disease used to affect naval-crews on long lasting sea voyages, soldiers during times of war and the poor. Although efficient therapy of scurvy (fresh vegetables, lemon juice) was known in the mid-18th century, its etiology was not known. It was believed to be caused by the cold, moist winds, unhealthy evaporations, malnutrition and it was called "alkaline disease". It was established that acid substances like lemon juice, had beneficial effects on the disease. However, it was soon generally accepted that it was caused by deficient diet. In 1830, Dr. John Elliotson, Professor of Medicine at London University supported this opinion. In 1928, Albert Szent Gyordyi, professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Szeged and Budapest Universities, isolated vitamin C from green pepper, vegetable proved to be rich with vitamin C. Due to this discovery, and some discoveries regarding biological processes, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine and physiology in 1937. Back in 1864, a military doctor in Belgrade, Dr. Maksim Nikolić-Miskovićev from Sremski Karlovci, wrote to Ministry of Defence of the Serbian Principality. He informed the authorities about a successful, quick and cheap cure for scurvy-pepper juice. A medical board headed by Dr. Vladan Dordević was formed to evaluate his discovery. Dr. Nikolić-Miskovićev was underestimated and laughed at, and his discovery was completely forgotten. The aim of this paper was to correct injustice done to Dr. Maksim Nikolić-Miskovićev.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1992

Scurvy in a nonalcoholic person in the United States.

Scurvy is rarely diagnosed in our society today. The authors describe the case of a 31-year-old man with weakness, gingival pain, and a rash over the lower extremities. He had a history of poor nutritional intake, no alcohol consumption, and a 13 pack-year history of cigarette smoking. Laboratory studies revealed an extremely deficient serum ascorbic acid level. Treatment was begun with oral ascorbic acid tablets and, within 3 days after discharge, all clinical symptoms of scurvy had resolved. Scurvy is an easily treated disease and should be considered when there is an appropriate history and classic clinical findings. Because vitamin C deficiency can be seen in many chronic disease states, it is important to recognize some of the early features and clinical manifestations of such nutritional deficiencies.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[How Lind did not discover the treatment against the scurvy].

During 400 years Lind, with his published book "A Treatise of the Scurvy", was considered as the man who discovered the role of lemon juice in the treatment of scurvy. However lemon juice was given to the English crews only 40 years later and more one century later to the French crews. In fact, as Lind had muddled up his conclusions of the role of the lemon juice with the supposed role of the chillness, dampness and many subsidiary treatments the Admiralty was not convinced at once by the necessary lemon juice to prevent the scurvy.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1991

[Scurvy from self-imposed diet].

Scurvy, a rare disease, is still found today in malnourished patients. We recently diagnosed a case of scurvy in a 64-year-old woman resulting from a self-imposed diet. She had severe anemia and the characteristic gingival and skin lesions, which responded dramatically to ascorbic acid therapy. We report this case to make physicians aware of the possibility of scurvy and of its clinical symptoms.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1990

[Rickets- and/or scurvy-like bone lesions in beta-thalassemia major].

Recently, a new type of skeletal lesions has been described in Cooley's anemia as a possible complication secondary to therapy. In 12 children affected with thalassemia major, who received an intensive transfusional regimen combined with continuous iron chelation therapy (desferoxamine-B: 50-80 mg/kg/day), some radiological abnormalities of the long bones were observed similar to those described in rickets and scurvy. These rickets and/or scurvy-like lesions had never been reported before the introduction of high-dose desferoxamine therapy. The pathogenesis of these lesions is uncertain, but the toxic effect of desferoxamine probably plays an important role in their development. The association of growth retardation and rickets and/or scurvy-like skeletal lesions in Cooley's anemia patients may be used as a valuable clinical criterion in long-term chelation management.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Scurvy in children].

The authors report two cases of scurvy in two encephalopathic 3 year-old girls. The first case was misleading and was initially operated with the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. The second one presented with bleeding syndrome and subperiosteal hemorrhage. The diagnosis of scurvy was based upon deficient diet, clinical features, and periosteal cleavage at ultrasonographic evaluation. Treatment with ascorbic acid, 400 mg/d, led to a complete resolution of the clinical features. The authors emphasize the misleading features of scurvy at bone ultrasonographic evaluation and recommend a supplementation with ascorbic acid of children with severe mental retardation.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Scurvy by any other name: a case report.

Scurvy can mimic disorders such as vasculitis, systemic bleeding disorders, and deep vein thrombosis. For this reason scorbutic patients are often evaluated for other disorders thus delaying the correct diagnosis. Health care providers may be able to prevent cases of scurvy with knowledge of the clinical features of scurvy and higher levels of suspicion of high risk groups. These groups include older people living alone, young children eating exclusively cow's milk formula, food faddists, and those consuming inadequate diets for reasons such as mental illness or peptic ulcer.

Female↗
PubMed1993

Scurvy: more than historical relevance.

The clinical description of scurvy is well recorded in the history of medicine. Yet, because scurvy is relatively uncommon in industrially developed countries, it is often underdiagnosed, and unnecessary tests are performed. The result of a prolonged deficiency of ascorbic acid, scurvy is classically manifested by perifollicular hemorrhages, corkscrew hairs, large ecchymoses and hemorrhagic gingivitis. Although the disease is considered uncommon in the United States, two populations at greatest risk--the institutionalized elderly and alcoholics--are increasing.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1997

Oral scurvy and periodontal disease.

Although gingival bleeding is a manifestation of both scurvy and inflammatory periodontal disease, the two conditions are distinctly separate entities. The defective collagen synthesis associated with scurvy also manifests many of the same symptoms as deficient vitamin C physiology, but neither condition is associated with periodontal disease. Unlike scurvy, the various periodontal diseases are caused by oral plaque microorganisms. The body's reaction to these microorganisms is strongly influenced by the compromised functioning of leucocytes and monocytes. Although certain infections and systemic diseases cause gingival bleeding, avitaminosis-C does not cause commonly encountered periodontitis. Vitamin C should not be used for the prophylaxis or cure of periodontal disease in otherwise healthy, well-nourished individuals. A patient with bleeding gingivae warrants referral to a periodontist, oral medicine specialist, or appropriately qualified dentist for examination and treatment.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Scurvy. A case report.

An 18-month-old girl presented with irritability, epistaxis, spongy appearance of the gums perifollicular papules with follicular hyperkeratosis, ecchymosis, painful swollen knees and scorbutic rosary. Her diet consisted mainly of wheat flour. X-ray of the knees showed findings compatible with scurvy. Ascorbic acid level was below 0.003 g/L. Ascorbic acid therapy resulted in a dramatic clinical improvement. Scurvy is an uncommon disease in our society today. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of scurvy because it is easily treated with vitamin C replacement.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1964

WOUND HEALING AND COLLAGEN FORMATION. IV. DISTORTION OF RIBOSOMAL PATTERNS OF FIBROBLASTS IN SCURVY.

The changes in scorbutic wounds following the administration of ascorbic acid have been investigated using the techniques of electron microscopy, histochemistry, and autoradioggraphy. Particular attention has been paid to the changes seen in the endoplasmic reticulum of the fibroblasts and to the identity of the extracellular filamentous material characteristic of scorbutic wounds. Seven-day-old wounds in scorbutic guinea pigs were examined prior to and from one to 72 hours following the administration of vitamin C. Fibroblasts from wounds of normal animals demonstrate a characteristic configuration of the ribosomes of the endoplasmic reticulum which is suggested to be analogous to polyribosomes described in cells synthesizing protein such as the reticulocyte. Tangential views of the membranes of the ergastoplasm show the ribosomes to be grouped in paired rows which take both straight and curved paths. This configuration is lost in scurvy and can be seen to begin to reappear as early as 4 hours after giving ascorbic acid. With increasing time, the morphology of the ribosomal aggregates approximates that seen in normal cells, so that by 24 hours their reorientation is complete. It is suggested that one of the disturbances in scurvy may relate to an alteration either in messenger RNA, in the ability of the ribosomes to relate to the messenger, or in the membranes of the ergastoplasm. In addition, the lack of formation of hydroxyamino acids necessary for completing collagen synthesis may be related to the architecture of the ribosomal aggregates. Extracellular collagen fibrils appear concomitant with the restoration of ribosomal and ergastoplasmic morphology as early as 12 hours after administration of ascorbic acid, with complete disappearance of the scorbutic extracellular material within 24 hours. Observations of this scorbutic material do not support the concept that it is a collagen precursor.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Scurvy. A case caused by peculiar dietary habits.

A 9-year-old girl had the insidious development of lethargy, gingival erosions, and follicular hyperkeratosis with perifollicular hemorrhage. A dietary history disclosed that she consumed only one kind of sandwich and beverage and took no other foods. A skin biopsy specimen was consistent with the diagnosis of scurvy, and marked improvement occurred with ascorbic acid therapy. Although it is an uncommon disorder in the United States, scurvy may occur in persons with prolonged and peculiar dietary habits.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed2000

Scurvy presenting as painful gait with bruising in a young boy.

A case of scurvy occurred in an apparently well-nourished 5-year-old boy with normal growth parameters. Only after the diagnosis of scurvy was raised on clinical grounds did we discover the peculiar dietary habits that were responsible for his deficiency of ascorbic acid. His case is a reminder to the clinician that nutritionally based disease may occur in any socioeconomic setting and that nutritional screening remains an important part of every child's general health care.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1989

The prevention and conquest of scurvy, beri-beri, and pellagra.

I have described how many years of research were needed to overcome three nutritional diseases that occurred throughout the world. When human beings migrated from tropical and subtropical regions to the temperate zone, they lost their year-round supplies of vitamin C, and scurvy began to occur. The emergence of beri-beri had a mechanical basis; the introduction of milling, which prevented the rancidity of rice and wheat, also removed the essential vitamin B1. The circumstance leading to the third deficiency disease was reliance on maize, without supplementing it with "protective" foods, such as meat, milk, and vegetables. Under conditions of poverty, the protective foods became expensive, and pellagra appeared. Synthetic chemistry, together with improvements in the diet and in education, largely overcame scurvy, beri-beri, and pellagra, but deficiencies of vitamins A, C, and folic acid still occur widely in economically disadvantaged populations, and this is a challenge to those who wish to improve public health. The brilliant prophesies of Casimir Funk, made in 1912, were fulfilled within 25 years. Today, his word "vitamin" is universally familiar. The account of the discovery, identification and synthesis of the vitamins is the story of how human beings have overcome nutritional deficiencies that were imposed by cultural and economic disadvantages or just plain ignorance. These discoveries were a triumph of science and technology. Much of the research depended on the use of experimental animals: guinea-pigs, rats, dogs, monkeys, and chickens. Vitamins are now added to the diets of both animals and human beings.

Beriberi↗