Effects of vitamin C on the outcome of in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer in endometriosis: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study was performed to investigate the effect of vitamin C (VitC) supplementation on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in patients with endometriosis (EMs).MethodsA total of 280 patients with EMs underwent IVF-ET (VitC treatment group, n=160; VitC non-treatment group, n=120). An additional 150 patients who did not have EMs but underwent IVF-ET (control group) were also enrolled in this study. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured to determine the role of VitC on oxidative stress markers in serum and follicular fluid (FF).ResultsIn total, 245 patients with EMs and 132 patients without EMs underwent successful IVF-ET and follow-up. The serum or FF levels of VitC, SOD, and TAC were lower in the EMs than control group; however, the MDA and ROS levels in serum or FF were higher in the EMs than control group. After 2 months of VitC treatment, the serum VitC levels in serum and FF were significantly increased, while oxidative stress markers were unaffected.ConclusionTreatment with VitC oral formulation improved the serum and FF levels of VitC but did not affect oxidative stress markers in patients with EMs.

The Effect of Combined Vitamin C and Vitamin E Supplementation on Oxidative Stress Markers in Women with Endometriosis: A Randomized, Triple-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Another study showed that 1000 mg/d of vitamin C and 800 IU/d of vitamin E for 8 weeks before IVF-ET treatment in women with severe EMS could significantly reduce follicular fluid myeloperoxidase levels [28]. In contrast, in a recent study, Lu et al (2018) showed 1000 mg/d; oral supplementation of vitamin C for two months did not affect OS markers (ROS, TAC, SOD, and MDA) in patients with EMS [12]. At the same time, some studies have indicated that vitamin C can lead to endometriotic cyst volume and weight reduction.…”

“…ROS molecules can activate cellular apoptosis mechanisms leading to cellular death [10,11]. Increasing evidence indicates that women with EMS have higher malondialdehyde (MDA) and ROS levels and lower total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as compared to healthy counterparts [12][13][14].…”

Effects of Supplementation with Natural Antioxidants on Oocytes and Preimplantation Embryos

“…Moreover, an exogenous stress, such as cigarette smoke, influenced the level of β-carotene in women undergoing IVF treatments, with smokers having significantly lower levels of follicular fluid β-carotene in comparison to non-smokers [107]. In accordance, the mean β-carotene levels in follicular fluid and plasma of smokers were found to be lower compared to the levels in the non-smokers group [108]. It remains to be elucidated the potential consequences of reduced β-carotene levels in follicular fluid microenvironment on oocyte maturation process.…”

Effect of piroxicam administration on outcome of frozen–thawed embryo transfer: A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial

“…Other strategies used in this regard are to reduce cervical stimulation by careful passing the ET catheter in a precise and nontraumatic manner 17 . Furthermore, adjuvant pharmacological interventions such as aspirin, 18 ascorbic acid 19 and glucocorticoids 20 have been used in different trials for increasing uterine receptivity.…”