Vitamin C Inhibits NF-κB Activation by TNF Via the Activation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is required in the diets of humans and several other species that lack the terminal enzyme in its synthetic pathway, L-gulonolactone oxidase. It is involved in a number of vital functions within cells, including the hydroxylation reactions of collagen biosynthesis and the facilitation of iron transport, as well as being one of the most important physiological antioxidants. The current recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C is 60 mg/day for non-smoking adult males, which is sufficient to prevent scurvy. However, vitamin C has been suggested as having both a preventative and therapeutic role in a number of other pathologies when administered at much higher-than-recommended dietary allowance levels, including cancer, atherosclerosis, and viral infections.

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