Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1977, 52, 82-83
Correspondence periods of urine collection) (Table, col. 6). In only one of the 5 patients (Case 5) receiving ascorbic acid was there a significant rise in hydroxyproline excretion. The changes observed in the other 4 patients were nonsignificant (Table, Col. 7). On the basis of these data, no claim for improvement in collagen synthesis with the use of ascorbic acid can be made. Investigations to find a way to overcome the long-term side effect of osteoporosis while on corticosteroids therapy should be continued.
Effect of ascorbic acid on urinary hydroxyproline of children receiving corticosteroids
Sir, The excretion of hydroxyproline in the urine provides a useful reflection of collagen metabolism; hydroxyproline accounting for approximately 13% of the weight of collagen. Urinary hydroxyproline excretion has been reported to be reduced in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and an even P. SAPHYAKHAJON, greater reduction has been noted in patients treated J. GROSSMAN, BURTON with corticosteroids (Smith et al., 1968). Liakakos et and JANET QUINN al. (1974) in the Archives have reported that ascorbic La Rabida Children's Hospital and acid increased the urinary hydroxyproline excretion Research Center, East 65th Street at Lake in 8 patients with JRA who were receiving large Michigan, Chicago, Illinois 60469, and doses of prednisone. Department of Pediatrics, This preliminary study was undertaken to assess University of Chicago, the role of ascorbic acid on the excretion of urinary Chicago, Illinois, USA hydroxyproline. A control group of 5 males and 3 females, ranging in age from 7 to 18 years, who had no evidence of musculoskeletal disease, were found References to have 24-hour urinary hydroxyproline excretion within the normal range as established by Anderson Anderson, J., Bannister, D. W., and Tomlinson, R. W. S. (1965). Total urinary hydroxyproline excretion in normal et al. (1965). 5 patients with JRA on prednisone human subjects. Clinical Science, 29, 583-587. therapy were studied with four consecutive determin- Liakakos, D., Ikkos, D. G., Vlachos, P., Ntalles, K., and ations of their 24-hour urinary hydroxproline excreCoulouris, C. (1974). Effect of ascorbic acid on urinary hydroxyproline of children receiving corticosteroids. tion (Table, col. 5). These 5 patients were then given Archives of Disease in Childhood, 49, 400-403. 2 g ascorbic acid per day by mouth for a period of 2 M., Ansell, M., and Bywaters, E. G. L. (1968). weeks and then four consecutive determinations of Smith, Urinary hydroxyproline excretion in patients with juvenile their 24-hour urinary hydroxyproline excretion were rheumatoid arthritis with and without corticosteroid repeated (ascorbic acid was continued during the therapy. Journal of Pediatrics, 73, 875-881.
Table Urinary hydroxyproline Case no.
.Sex
Age (yr)
Urinary hydroxyproline excretion (mng!n2 per 24h )
P value
(t score)
Normnal valtue (mean ± SD)
On prednisone
On prednisone + ascorbic acid
1
M
16
64-3± 14-57
36
33
2
F
11
27-7±5-2
36
(35-39)
(29-36)
3
F
17
27-7±5-2
(25-40) 17
(15-18) 4
M
13
64-3±14-57
5
M
16
64-3±14-57
29
(18-38) 19
(17-24)
82
23 (19-30) 19 (14-29) 29 (23-33) 28 (24-31)
0-1 0-5
Correspondence periods of urine collection) (Table, col. 6). In only one of the 5 patients (Case 5) receiving ascorbic acid was there a significant rise in hydroxyproline excretion. The changes observed in the other 4 patients were nonsignificant (Table, Col. 7). On the basis of these data, no claim for improvement in collagen synthesis with the use of ascorbic acid can be made. Investigations to find a way to overcome the long-term side effect of osteoporosis while on corticosteroids therapy should be continued.
Effect of ascorbic acid on urinary hydroxyproline of children receiving corticosteroids
Sir, The excretion of hydroxyproline in the urine provides a useful reflection of collagen metabolism; hydroxyproline accounting for approximately 13% of the weight of collagen. Urinary hydroxyproline excretion has been reported to be reduced in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and an even P. SAPHYAKHAJON, greater reduction has been noted in patients treated J. GROSSMAN, BURTON with corticosteroids (Smith et al., 1968). Liakakos et and JANET QUINN al. (1974) in the Archives have reported that ascorbic La Rabida Children's Hospital and acid increased the urinary hydroxyproline excretion Research Center, East 65th Street at Lake in 8 patients with JRA who were receiving large Michigan, Chicago, Illinois 60469, and doses of prednisone. Department of Pediatrics, This preliminary study was undertaken to assess University of Chicago, the role of ascorbic acid on the excretion of urinary Chicago, Illinois, USA hydroxyproline. A control group of 5 males and 3 females, ranging in age from 7 to 18 years, who had no evidence of musculoskeletal disease, were found References to have 24-hour urinary hydroxyproline excretion within the normal range as established by Anderson Anderson, J., Bannister, D. W., and Tomlinson, R. W. S. (1965). Total urinary hydroxyproline excretion in normal et al. (1965). 5 patients with JRA on prednisone human subjects. Clinical Science, 29, 583-587. therapy were studied with four consecutive determin- Liakakos, D., Ikkos, D. G., Vlachos, P., Ntalles, K., and ations of their 24-hour urinary hydroxproline excreCoulouris, C. (1974). Effect of ascorbic acid on urinary hydroxyproline of children receiving corticosteroids. tion (Table, col. 5). These 5 patients were then given Archives of Disease in Childhood, 49, 400-403. 2 g ascorbic acid per day by mouth for a period of 2 M., Ansell, M., and Bywaters, E. G. L. (1968). weeks and then four consecutive determinations of Smith, Urinary hydroxyproline excretion in patients with juvenile their 24-hour urinary hydroxyproline excretion were rheumatoid arthritis with and without corticosteroid repeated (ascorbic acid was continued during the therapy. Journal of Pediatrics, 73, 875-881.
Table Urinary hydroxyproline Case no.
.Sex
Age (yr)
Urinary hydroxyproline excretion (mng!n2 per 24h )
P value
(t score)
Normnal valtue (mean ± SD)
On prednisone
On prednisone + ascorbic acid
1
M
16
64-3± 14-57
36
33
2
F
11
27-7±5-2
36
(35-39)
(29-36)
3
F
17
27-7±5-2
(25-40) 17
(15-18) 4
M
13
64-3±14-57
5
M
16
64-3±14-57
29
(18-38) 19
(17-24)
82
23 (19-30) 19 (14-29) 29 (23-33) 28 (24-31)
0-1 0-5
